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Aberbargoed Buds Football Club’s youth team has been crowned league champions with games to spare.
The team won the Autocentre Gwent Premier Youth League on March 5 after defeating title rivals Abertillery Excelsiors 4-1 at home.
Youth team coach Leighton Grimstead, 36, spoke to Caerphilly Observer about the victory.
“The boys were brilliant,” said Leighton, “the mental strength of the boys was ridiculous.”
Even though the trophy will be awarded at a presentation evening in the future, there was a small celebration on the day the trophy was clinched.
“We did let the boys have a few bottles of champagne to have a spray about,” added Leighton.
Though the first team in Aberbargoed has been running since 1957, the youth team was started up again by Leighton, Dean Jones and Scott Jeynes in September 2022.
The team, which includes boys aged 16 and 17 and plays at Aberbargoed Recreational Ground, “dominated” the league, according to Leighton.
Next on the agenda are the few remaining league games and a cup competition which will see the buds compete in a group with teams from Fleur de Lis and Pontymister.
There’s also hope the youth team can play in the Welsh League under 19s competition.
This, however, depends on the senior team winning their league – a real possibility as the seniors are currently top of the Gwent County League – the fourth tier of Welsh football.
“It could be a double,” said Leighton.
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