LANCASHIRE Girls football teams created history by winning two national titles in the same season and on the day day - and it was a success very much carved out in the east of the county.

For more than half of the squads involving in the Under 16s and Under 14s teams came from East Lancashire.

A total of 11 players in the Girls Under 16s squad of 18 players came from Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Chorley and also included Olivia Wilkes, the daughter of Padiham FC manager Steve Wilkes And it was the same story in the Under 14s as 11 of the 18 players involved hailed from this side of the region.

That said, the success story was achieved county wide as both teams won the English Schools FA National titles as well as the Northern Counties Schools Inter Counties titles.

Michael Nadal, Lancashire Football Association’s Football Development Officer for Women & Girls, was part of both management teams.

He said: “The County Schools Association are extremely proud of the players and volunteer staff who have been nothing short of sensational in their commitment to during the season.

“Both squads have had their ups and downs however ultimately they have come together to prove that Lancashire is the heartbeat of County Schools Football- coupled with that our thanks go to the players schools and clubs who support the players as and when required.”

The Under 14s were first in to action at Northampton Town’s Sixfields Stadium where they we up against Essex looking to making it a hat-trick of national titles.

In fact, Essex were the last team to beat Lancashire in the 2012 final.

And Lancashire clinched that treble of national titles but they were pushed all the way by Essex, eventually winning in a nerve-shreading penalty shoot-out.

Despite creating plenty of chances in normal time and extra time, Lancashire could not find the winning goal they deserved.

And so on to spot kicks and it looked like Lancashire had blown their chance, missing their first three spot kicks but so did Essex, the third of which keeper Emma Bradley (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley) turned on to the bar.

Lancashire finally converted a spot kick when Ebony Stinson (Blackburn and Darwen) slotted home and another Essex miss meant Kim Sykes (Burnley) had the chance to win the cup and the centre back did just that.

After the Under 14s success, it was on to the Under 16s who were hoping to make it third time lucky having lost in finals in final in 2011/12 and 2012/13.

Once again they were up against Essex and once again it proved to be another nervy affair.

Despite dominating proceedings, Lancashire could not find a way through - Lucy Staunton Turner hitting the post while Brenna McPartlan skimmed the crossbar with a long range shot.

HOwever, Katie Samuels (Blackburn with Darwen) eventually broke the deadlock, heading home an excellent corner from Ali Johnson.

And it was left to St Bede’s pupil McParland (Blackburn with Darwen) to seal the win with a wonderful chip over the Essex keeper.

But while it was a season of highs it was also a season of lows following the sad loss of Cadley FC player Mellisa Smith who collapsed and died while playing football.

“The season has also been an extremely sad one for girls and ladies football in Lancashire after the tragic death of Mellissa,” added Nadal.

“Many of the players had the pleasure of playing against or knowing her and I know they have carried her memory throughout the season and a few of team said after the final ‘that was for Mel and all those close to her.’”

n Trials for Lancashire Schools U16s take place on Tuesday. June 9 and U14s on Tuesday June 23 at Accrington and Rossendale College. Age Groups are based on this Year’s school age bands - U16s- Current Year 9 and Year 10 Pupils; U14s- Current Year 7 and 8 pupils.

More details contact Michael Nadal on michaelnadal@icloud.com Lancashire Girls U14s Amelia Size (West Lancashire), Emma Bradley (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley), Emily Yeoman (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley), Naomi Hartley (Burnley), Kimberley Sykes (Burnley), Courtney Willis (West Lancashire), Olivia Powell (West Lancashire), Courtney Woodhead (Chorley), Caitlin Gerrard (Pendle), Ebony Stinson (Blackburn and Darwen), Hannah Walsh (South Ribble), Kaya Lilly Pottinger (Blackburn and Darwen) Eve Clarkson (Blackburn with Darwen, Maddison McKenna (Blackburn and Darwen), Eve Sutcliffe (South Ribble), Ellie Spooner (Blackpool) Sadie Mitchell (Pendle), Melissa Robertson (South Ribble) Management Team: Michael Nadal, Keira Davis, Sam Yates.

Lancashire Girls U16s Katie Maher (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley), Justine Elliott (Chorley), Erin Staunton Turner (West Lancashire) Ellie Hilton(Chorley), Katie Samuels (Blackburn with Darwen), Olivia Wilson (Blackburn with Darwen) Jessica Rawstron (Pendle), Karis Harrison (Blackpool), Megan Hester (Blackburn with Darwen), Natasha Fenton (Blackpool), Brenna McPartlan (Blackburn with Darwen), Alice Adams (West Lancashire), Lucy Staunton Turner (West Lancashire), Alicia Johnson (Blackburn with Darwen, Olivia Wilkes (South Ribble), Niamh McGabhan (West Lancashire), Olivia Rees (Chorley), Annabel Mayson (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley) Rebecca Smith (Preston) Team Management: Michael Nadal, Kate O’Neill, Sam Yates.