Local side Bradford Bengal Tigers U13’s have become invincibles as they cantered to the Garforth Junior Football League Division 6 title, scoring a whopping 115 goals along the way.
The Bengal Tigers did so in impressive fashion as they won nearly every game and only conceded 19 goals the whole campaign.
A 4-4 with Kirkstall Crusaders in their penultimate game of the season, denied them an 100% record.
This didn’t stop them finishing in style however, as they romped home against Townville All Stars 15-2, to cap off a highly successful season.
All this in a season, which was constantly interrupted, including a delay for 6 months halfway through, by COVID-19, makes the team’s performance even more special.
To highlight the impressive achievement, the Bengal Tigers held a trophy presentation at Bradford City’s ground yesterday, with each player receiving a medal.
The celebration at the Utilita Energy Stadium was even more special for the lads, as they regularly visit the ground to watch Bradford City play, as part of the supporter’s group Bangla Bantams.
Top scorer Saaqib Haque, who netted 30 goals in 13 games and scored a hat trick in their final game, was delighted with his team’s momentous performance.
He said: “It was a great feeling to win the league.
“It’s been hard when we had a few weeks off and we’ve been effected by COVID all last season and most of this one.
“I was happy to win the league and for me scoring the first and last goal in the last game was a great way to celebrate.”
One of the coaches Shummel Uddin, has said that he’s proud of his player’s achievements in a tough season.
Uddin has been coaching the kids for five years, since they were just eight years old.
He has been coaching a total of 10 years in general and got into it after a previous manager sent him to an Easter football camp.
He said: “It’s been amazing what they’ve done especially with everything going on.
“Covid has interrupted in a lot of ways and really would have had an effect on things.
“It interrupted our rhythm and structure. All plans and preparations just went down the drain.
“Kids won’t have been getting as much exercise during the lockdowns as before, which will have an effect as well.
“We also had Ramadan to deal with alongside that, the lads are 12/13, so some of them will have been fasting for the first time.
“No doubt it has an effect on you physically, mentally and even spiritually, so to come out and achieve what they did is just amazing.”
