Southside Youths reflect on superb treble-winning season

Southside Youths FC completed an historic treble in the Belfast & East Antrim Youth League last week.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th May 2013, 10:00 BST
Members of Southside Youth under 16 football team pictured at their annual dinner. The team are winners of the Belfast and East Antrim League, Cup and Shield. INBT22-241ACMembers of Southside Youth under 16 football team pictured at their annual dinner. The team are winners of the Belfast and East Antrim League, Cup and Shield. INBT22-241AC
Members of Southside Youth under 16 football team pictured at their annual dinner. The team are winners of the Belfast and East Antrim League, Cup and Shield. INBT22-241AC

At Wakehurst the Ballymena South boys went into the final game of the Shield competition with the League title and Knockout Cup already in the bag.

Southside needed to beat opponents Antrim Rovers by three clear goals to win the Shield and complete the treble.

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In a clinical and controlled display of possession football Southside dominated from start to finish running out 5-0 winners with four goals from the midfield goal machine Sam McNiece and one from Leon Bonnes.

In the league Southside went through the whole season of league fixtures with straight victories recording the maximum points available - an achievement never acheived before.

With another run of straight wins throughout the Knockout Cup campaign, the League and Cup Double was completed. Two further wins and a draw in the Shield completed the treble.

On Friday night Southside celebrated in style at their end of season prize night.

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In the Ballymena Bowling Club a huge crowd joined the party and watched as this history making team received their annual club awards.

Manager Colin Stewart after thanking the main club sponsors Dunbia Ballymena, R&S Scaffolding and Mid Antrim Properties then commended the squad for the dedication, commitment and loyalty they had all shown him and the club during the season.

“You get out of football what you put into it and tonight everyone can see the rewards this squad of 17 players have achieved,” he 
said.

Words of thanks were also given to the numerous other club sponsors and the club officials and coaching team were commended for the help they all gave in making this such a memorable season.

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Individual award winners on the night were: Players’ Player Of The Year - Jonathan Logan; Leading Goalscorer - Sam McNiece (36 goals in 35 games); Most Improved Player - Jack Livingstone; Clubman of the Year - Jordan Stewart; Man of the Match Award in Knockout Cup Final - Sam 
McNiece

Announced on the night at the awards was that this coming weekend Southside have been invited to play in a four team tournament the “Belfast Champions Cup” along with the league champions from the Lisburn League and the two divisional league champions from the South Belfast Youth League.