THE Streets were paved with goals for one East Lancashire football team who celebrated ‘going it alone’ by winning the league and cup double and also gaining promotion.

And club ambassador Paul Gallagher, the former Blackburn Rovers player and current Preston North End star, was there to celebrate the occasion.

It was in the summer of 2014 that Streets FC were formed after breaking away from another established club and, under the guidance of John Magee, Hasan Demir and Glynn Nicholson, the team has flourished - culminating with beating all before them in the Accrington and District Junior Football League.

Streets Under 12s did it in style, winning 11 of their 12 matches in the Saturday league before sealing a memorable season by adding the cup as well.

And there was more success for the club based in the Higher Croft/Roman Road area in Blackburn as its Sunday team finished runners-up to gain promotion in the East Lancashire Football Alliance.

Streets prides itself on being a community club and plays its home games at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary School in Higher Croft, an area where most of the children live and where Gallagher was also brought up.

Magee, who is the executive director of Streets UK and also from the area, is delighted to see the team doing so well - and is glad ‘Gally’ has leant his support.

“Paul has been brilliant,” said Magee. “He is a local lad and was brought up in the area where most of the kids come from.

“He is an ambassador for the club and keeps a keen interest in what they are doing. He did not hesitate to come down and share this special moment with the team and all the players were made up.”

Magee admits it was tough work setting up the club but is delighted to see everthing come together.

“It was tough that first year pulling everything together and learning very quickly what needed to be done,” he added. “One of our parents designed a new kit and with the help of sponsors such as Streets, Stone and The Car Mill provided the team with new kits of their own design and training jackets.”

Magee also thanked the school and the church for their help it was has become a community project - and also gained valuable assistance from another club in the town.

“The school have been brilliant and for that reason I would like to thank the headteacher, Martina Staffa and the board of governors.

“It is great for the team to have a home pitch and that sense of belonging. Father Barry has also been a great help.”

He added: I don’t have any knowledge of running or setting up a team but I wasn’t afraid to ask for a bit of help and Nigel Dixon at Blackburn Community Sports Club has been brilliant. He has helped us and given us tips and advice when we have needed it.”

The club is now working towards Charter Standard Status and Magee says the future is looking bright.

He said: “Moving forward we feel we now have a stable platform to really get some momentum going and are looking to grow the foundations. Our under 12 teams are both moving to 11 a side football so we are recruiting new players for both age groups.

“The focus is on improving the players through better coaching, to develop the children and fulfil their potential and hopefully enable a few more of them to achieve their hopes and ambitions further in life.

“The core values are respect, enjoyment and encouragement and I am pleased to say that when we see our lads with smiles on faces all the hard work truly is worth it.”

n Anyone wishing to join Streets FC or want further information about the club should contact John Magee on 07969 092699.