BIRD CUP FINAL

George IV 3

Haydn Carroll, Ben Davies (2)

Britannia FC 1

Dave Lingard

GEORGE IV will go down as one of the best ever amateur teams to come out of Burnley after winning their 20th and final piece of silverware in eight, glorious trophy-laden seasons.

Having secured their second consecutive treble in the Burnley Miners Sunday League, George IV - who have announced they are folding - went out on a high as they lifted the Bird Cup to complete back-to-back quadruples.

The tournament, for teams in the Burnley, Pendle and East Lancs leagues, is sponsored by B- Inspired Training and Consultants Limited and kicks off in pre-season with group games being played and the knock out stages commencing after Easter.

Having completed their clean sweep in the Burnley Sunday League - Premier Division title,Towneley Cup and Ray Ryland Memorial Trophy - George IV turned their attentions to the Bird Cup final where they were up against Pendle Charity League side, Britannia FC.

But the all-conquering George IV did not get it all their own way.

Britannia, who finished runners-up in the Premier Division, started the game the stronger and were rewarded with the opening goal after just five minutes.

Alex Grice’s pin point free kick found Dave Lingard at the back post who finished with a well placed header to give Britannia the lead. The Pendle side continued to apply the pressure and George IV were forced to defend deeply.

However the Bird Cup holders began to settle into the game especially when influential captain Michael Morrison became more involved in play.

And from the mid point of the first half onwards, George IV enjoyed much more of the ball and started to carve out openings and they were rewarded in the 39th minute when a brilliant 40 yard pass from Morrison was converted by the excellent Haydn Carrol to equalise with a well timed side footed volley.

Ben Davies, just as he had been in the Ray Ryland Memorial Cup final against Craven Heifer, was introduced from the bench at half time - and once again made a huge impact as he came on and scored twice.

With the final just over the hour mark, Davies was first to respond to a loose ball on the edge of the box and his right foot drive found the bottom of the net.

Britannia responded positively and enjoyed another spell of sustained possession but could not breach a well organised George defence well martialled by Luke Thompson.

But 12 minutes from time and with Britannia pushing forward, Davies beat the off side trap and rounded keeper Danny McNicholas for a crucial third goal to ensure George IV signed off by doing what they do best - winning trophies.

Philip Caine, the Chairman of the XLCR Pendle Charity League nominated George’s Ben Davies as man of the match and presented the trophies to the finalists.

Darren Hunt helped form George IV in 2006/07 and was manager as they won trophies and titles as the climbed up the league until the team folded at the end of the 2014/15 season.

However, the team returned after one year out with Hunt as secretary and assistant manager to Kieron Carroll.

He said he will miss it but the time was right to go.

“It has been brilliant and to go out winning another quadruple is superb,” said Hunt. “We have had various George IV teams over the years and in one season, (2009/10) we had three teams, one in each division, and they all won their respective division titles.”

He added: “When we folded, some of the lads missed it so much that they badgered me to re-form. So after only one season out of it, I got my arm twisted and agreed to do two more years, which has just come to an end on a high.

“Myself and Kieron are the only two have been on board from day one.”

While Hunt says he has plenty of happy memories, he fears for the future of the Burnley Sunday League which is now down to just two divisions.

“I have made some very good, lifelong friends while running the club and I will miss it for sure,” he said. “But the time is right to leave, as the amount of teams left in the league and the standard of football has diminished year on year to such an extent that I can’t see the league lasting much longer, which is a real shame.”