Footballers from AFC Bolton Under-13 Girls Yellows showed real ‘bouncebackability’ to win their league title this season.

The girls endured a demoralising campaign in Section A of the Bolton, Bury and District Football League (BBDFL) in 2022/23, drawing just one match and losing the rest as they were relegated.

But what a response they put in this season.

In Section B, they won 15 matches out of 20 to be crowned champions, losing just four games along the way.

They scored an incredible 97 goals in the season as they proved you cannot keep a good team down.

Team manager, Liam Avison, said: “In 2022/23, we were placed in Section A and every girl knew this would be a test.

“They gave their absolute everything week in, week in week out, but managed to draw one game and lose the rest.

“This didn’t stop the girls - it made them stronger.

“They didn’t want to drop to a lower section mid-season , they wanted to finish the season off which every girl did, always coming off with a smile on their face.

“This season were were in section B and the girls used last season as a real push, it really helped our team grow, and become the champions they are today.

“Over the season the girls managed to win 15 games, draw one and lose four, scoring 97 goals and conceding 46.

“We started off the season by losing our first two of three games, but the girls pushed on and went on a nine-match unbeaten run. We then lost two back-to-back, then finished off the season without losing.

“Ramsbottom Rovers, really give us a challenge all the way through to the end.

“They finished four points behind us but it was not until the second-to-last game we found out we were the champions.”

The boss’s thought are echoed by his number two,Leon Wilkinson.

The assistant coach said: “We have watched this team grow into an amazing football team.

“They are resilient and work hard for each other all over the pitch.

“The best part of this was watching them become great friends and achieve what they have with a smile on their faces.”

The manager admits he is proud of every player and the effort put in by the whole squad.

He also admits they could not enjoy success with the help from the BBDFL and the club’s sponsors.

Avison added: “For me this team isn’t just about winning, it was coming together whether we won or lost, we would still have a laugh, we’d make memories as a team, we would all grow together and continue them memories to last a life time together.

“Every girl turned up to training week in, week out, weather it was last season where we had a really tough season or this year, where we was having a very strong season.

“The amount of effort the girls put in for the love of the grassroots team and club was amazing.

“BBDFL have been fantastic in support of us as a team, we can’t thank the league enough for the efforts they put into the grassroots community and all their amazing volunteers.

“We also couldn’t do this without our amazing sponsors - North West Flooring & Furniture Ltd, Furnished With Style and Fieldings Porter.”

AFC Bolton chairman, Darren Winnard, said the coach, too, deserves a lot of credit.

He added: “Liam has shown outstanding commitment over the years with his team.

“All his hard work is now paying off and we couldn’t be any more pleased for him and his team.

“He is a great role model to the girls and is a great of example of how hard work does pay off.”