THE PAPERLADS at the Sedbergh newsagents of D. & J. MacConnell have won a national title playing five-a-side football.

The team came out tops in the National Federation of News Retailers' Under-16s' Five-a-Side played at Sunderland Leisure Centre.

The MacConnell's team beat Gateshead 3-0 in the final to collect an impressive trophy and medals from the Mayor of Sunderland after competing as Cumbrian finalists.

Don MacConnell said: "They're a class act and it brought a few tears to my eyes to see them win the national title.

"It was no mean achievement against big-city folk. Some owners have as many as 10 shops and that gives them a bigger catchment pool of players.

"Our team have practised a lot for this competition by playing lads from Balliol School just up the road every week.

"They are all bone-fide newsboys who make sure the Gazette gets out on Fridays!"

Each member of the side received £30 prizemoney and an individual award to mark the triumph.

May 30, 2003 11:30