A FOOTBALL hub for talented youngsters accomplished the unthinkable when they were recently crowned National Champions of the Junior Premier League.

Despite forming only five years ago, the latest recruits from the “Elite Soccer Hub”, based in Skipton, found themselves celebrating victory at the National Finals on Saturday, January 22 in Birmingham, with both the U8's and U9's marching on to collect their respective titles.

The latter earned their spot at the National finals after being crowned “Yorkshire Champions” on the previous Saturday, beating York City (Academy) 6-4 in a very hard fought game. But the success of the Nationals is an extraordinary feat, given that the "Elite Soccer Hub" came up against academies and other clubs from around the country.

Founded by Jordan Armstrong, the 'Hub' itself is designed to improve and nurture the growth of young players from the surrounding areas through the use of expert coaching/ training, with the level just below that of a professional academy.

Several of the 'National' champions came from the Bradford area, one being Zakariyya Khan, whose dad was immensely proud of his son's achievements.

He (Akif) said: "It was great for my son because he got to share this opportunity with two of his friends who he has played with since a young age at Bingley Juniors (Jo Shoard and Harry Riley). It was great to witness, but all ten of the players deserve a special mention because they were all superb.

"Some of the players come from Skipton, but the two I mentioned and my son are representing West Yorkshire and Bradford.

"It's an overwhelming achievement. I have always been a football fan, but unfortunately my career was cut short because of an injury I suffered when I was 20, so it's great to see what my son is doing now. If I were to have a boy, which I did, I always wanted them to be given the opportunity to play football and go as far as possible in the sport."

The 'Elite Soccer Hub' can now boast having developed numerous players who are at various number of professional football clubs, including Leeds Utd, Bradford City, Liverpool and Man City to name a few.

And Khan (Akif) has been blown away by the standard which the Skipton 'Soccer Hub' offers.

He said: "Zakariyya is currently at Leeds United, while also taking part in the 'Soccer Hub' programme, so we are blessed with the opportunities he has had. He has played at some of the best training grounds in the country and we've been able to travel all over the place.

"But what Jordan Armstrong has done for the 'Hub' is just tremendous. There is a number of different age groups who all get expert coaching, and because of him and his other staff, the 'Hub' is seriously on the map. He has made a huge difference on their lives."

Khan added: "The coaching is unreal. I've been around football a long time and I've seen the coaching at professional clubs because of my son's achievements. But the way Jordan coaches the boys, it's unreal.

"He has got a fantastic vision, he cares so much about improving each individual player and the kids thrive off it.

"There should be more football centres like this . It's vital that we keep the young generation fit and healthy."