A GROUP of Wirral students are celebrating after winning a European football tournament and coming out on top in their league.

Students from Elite Sports Academy won the Amsterdam Cup last weekend — just one of their achievements this year.

Curriculum manager Paul Rowlandson said: “Every year Elite enter football teams into the North West Leagues and this year the Wirral students dominated their division against well-established college first teams.

“They not only managed to win their respective division, but did so without losing a single game.”

The team beat rivals from across the North West including Stockport, Knutsford and Macclesfield to win their league.

Participation in the Amsterdam Cup provides a unique chance to combine a visit to the Amsterdam Arena, home of AFC Ajax, and discover the history of one of Europe’s biggest football clubs.

A total of 180 teams from six different countries took part in this year’s event.

Paul added: “They have just won the Amsterdam Cup against some of the best European under-18 teams and this amazing achievement demonstrates the tremendous attitude the students had shown while on the course — their success has been rewarded.”

This summer the players will be preparing for their new season by playing against professional academies, the first being Chester FC this Wednesday.

Next year the Wirral players will be representing Burscough FC Under-18s with the hope they will be given contracts by semi- professional teams.