PENDLE Forest have been named women’s team of the year at the prestigious England Hockey Awards to cap a remarkable couple of seasons for the all-conquering group.

Forest, who last lost a game in January 2015, have not been beaten in 74 matches and will now play in the North Hockey Women’s League Premier Division - one step below the national league.

The fantastic run of form, that includes winning back-to-back league titles and a unbeaten run stretching three and half years, means some of the younger players in the squad don’t know what it is like to lose.

“It’s incredible to think a couple of the younger girls have not lost a game since they came in to the first team squad,” said captain Dani Hornby. “Freya Bythell and Thea Cormack have been in the first team for the last few seasons but they don’t now what it is like to lose!”

Hornby puts the remarkable success down to the fact that Pendle Forest are more than just a team - they are family, friends and old school mates.

And the captain believes everything has fallen in the place for Forest in recent years.

“It wasn’t so long ago that we were the team losing 6-0 and 7-0 and in the lower divisions,” she said. “But in the last couple of seasons everything has come at once, the younger players are now in the first team squad while we have players who have played at the highest level who have returned to the squad.

“It’s brilliant for the team because a lot of us have been with the club a long time and played together when we were at school.”

Hornby, Kayleigh Vickers, Sam Parker and Laura Kendal have all come up through the ranks, as have Lisa Crewe - who had a spell playing in Australia - and Charlotte Hartley who played for England in the Commonwealth Games.

But it is about the collective rather than individual stars at Pendle Forest. Hornby views the club as more of a family than a team - which is certainly underlined by the fact that sisters Deb Bythell - and her daughters Freya and Olivia - and Jane Cormack and daughter Thea are key members of the squad.

The special bond at the club was demonstrated when no fewer than 33 players and coaching staff attended the England Hockey Awards at the Athena in Leicester.

“We basically took the place over,” added Hornby, who admittted it was a big shock when they won the award. “I still can’t stop smiling, it’s crazy. Two seasons ago we won the title after winning every single game and we were nominated for the award but did not win.

“So although we went through last season unbeaten and won the title again, we didn’t think we would win because our record was not as good.

“So we were shocked and delighted. To be honoured at these awards, it’s the biggest accolade you can get in our sport.”

Hornby knows Forest have a tough task next season and knows the unbeaten run will eventually come to an end. But while the aim is to stay in the division, a top four place could see them promoted to the national league with England Hockey set for a restructure at the end of the 2018/19 season.

“When we went up last season, the first aim was to stay in the division but then we realised we had to set our target higher,” said the captain whose husband Scott is team manager.

“So that will be our aim next season although we do have the incentive of trying to finish in the top four with the league set to restructure the divisions.”

Of the long-running unbeaten record, Hornby says it is something the team has embraced rather than see it as a burden.

“We loved it and we have thrived under the pressure of everyone wanting to beat us,” added the FisherMore High School PE teacher.

But Hornby knows a defeat will come sooner or later - and she doesn’t know how the team will take it.

“When our long winning run came to an end in the draw at Newcastle University, everyone was gutted and we hadn’t even lost,” she said. “We will be playing some top teams next season so more than likely we are finally going to lose a game so we will have to wait and see how we feel.”

But when that run does come to an end, it is team spirit that will still be the winner according to team manager Scott.

“I am extremely proud of the players for their achievements,” he said. “The numbers involved in our current unbeaten streak are extraordinary and unprecedented to those who have been involved in hockey for so many years.

“But the numbers and titles are secondary to the team spirit we have developed over the years and will continue to have for years to come.”