They are just one game away from a perfect season - becoming Norfolk's very own 'invincibles'.

The Swanton Morley Blacks Under-16 mixed football team have won 17 games on the trot - every encounter they have had in the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League 2022-23 season. 

Matt Jarman, who has coached the team since they played in the under-sevens, said the youngsters had worked hard to be as good as they are.

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Mr Jarman, 37, said: “They are a dedicated bunch and are good support for one another, despite coming from both high schools in Dereham.

“I thought there may be a little competitive nature between them as they play against each other in school football, but they come together and they are a team, and the support they have for one another is unbelievable." 

Arsenal FC, under Arsene Wenger, earned the nickname 'Invincibles' after going the entire 2003–04 unbeaten - the only Premier League team to ever do so.

Mr Jarman started coaching the side at under-sevens level after his wife signed him up to help the club.

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He added: “But they set rules for one another, the first rule is, if you miss training you don’t make the squad.

“If someone is not pulling their weight, they will tell them, but they will also praise each other. They are a great bunch.”  

The league is mixed, with Swanton Morley having one girl on the team, Kayla Rixx.

Kayla is a central part of the team, making the 60-mile round trip every week from West Winch to take part.

Mr Jarman said she is one to watch and believes she will play for the Lionesses one day, having already been approached by Norwich City Academy and the county side.

Swanton Morley's final game is away to Bulldogs F.C. on April 30 at Euston Park, Thetford.