2011: Belthorn end long wait for first win (From Lancashire Telegraph)

2011: Belthorn end long wait for first win

9:00am Tuesday 6th December 2011 in Belthorn

BELTHORN United got a ton-derful feeling on Saturday when they won their first football match in more than five years.

The Under 16s, who had never won a game in more than 100 attempts since being formed, were on top of the world after beating Life Academy 4-3 in the Accrington and District Junior Football League.

The team his made up of lads who were not considered good enough for other clubs and started out at under 12 level.

The team has been coached by prolific non-league striker Sam Heap and David Holt throughout their five years and they were cheered by the Saturday result.

Heap said: “We have tried to instill proper footballing values into them starting with basic skills and build from there. “With this we have coached ball on the deck football, no long ball with a big, quick lad upfront like most junior teams, the team tries to play football whatever the score.

“Slowly over the seasons they have built on their fundamentals and progressed to a level where they can compete everyweek.

“With losing every week its been a struggle to keep the lads motivated week after week, especially with defeats such as 26-0 and 24-0 in their earlier years. So to keep coming back after losing every single game is every credit to the lads and they got their reward with the win.”

Heap has been involved in coaching for a decade now and he added: “David and myself have been coaching them for five years and for myself either though I have coached several successful teams for over 10 years and recently won Hyndburn coach of the year it is the highlight of my coaching career. “Dave started the team and after five games, five loses and a goal difference of -122 he asked me to come and assist him and take over the coaching responsibilities which I was happy to.”