As the summer comes to a close and students prepare for new chapters in their lives, the Chineham Tigers U18 football team are looking back on a season - and a journey - that ended on a successful note.

Three months ago, the team secured the North East Hampshire Youth Football League title in their final match together, a fitting conclusion to more than a decade of hard work and dedication.

For the players and coaches, the victory was more than just a win on the field; it was the grand finale of years of commitment and growth.

Thirteen of the players in this winning team had been with the group since its inception, starting their football journey together at the tender age of four or five.

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Now, as they prepare to head off to new ventures, the team reflect on what has been an unforgettable experience.

"This victory was the perfect send-off," said manager Dale Turpin, who, along with coaches Ted, Andy, and Mo, has been with the team since the beginning.

"These lads have been fantastic, and seeing them come full circle and win the league in their final match was incredibly rewarding. We've trained 13 of them since Year R, and it's been an honour to watch them grow into the young men they are today."

The final match, played against rivals Farncombe at Antsy Stadium in Alton, was a nail-biter, with the Tigers edging out a 2-1 victory to claim the top-tier title.

The Chineham Tigers' journey has been supported by Basingstoke-based architectural practice Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, who sponsored the team for the majority of their time together.

The group was also sponsored by Simfoni and Basingstoke Irish Society during its period.

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While new sponsors stepped in for the past two years, the architects have remained proud supporters of the team's achievements.

"In a world where it is such a struggle to find volunteers for groups like this, it is remarkable that they have been able to keep the team going for nearly 15 years, with over a dozen of the lads going from Year R through to the Under 18s," said David Ayre, founding director of Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt.

"To then win the top north Hampshire division in their final ever game is a lovely story."