Football’s latest “invincibles” have arrived in the form of an all-girl team going unbeaten all season – whilst playing in a boys’ league. Against 11 other boys’ teams, Queens Park Ladies claimed 18 wins from 22 matches, scoring 61 goals and conceding a paltry 11 on their way to securing the title. By season’s end, the all-girls side had claimed 58 points and amassed a gap of 16 points between themselves and the second-placed side, albeit with two games left to play for the latter.

The stupendous show of domination arrived after the all-girls team fought off resistance from county FA bosses, who initially insisted that the team play in a girls’ competition. A defiant and persevering streak is one which underpins the girls’ team, who were founded after manager Toby Green’s daughter Olivia told him she wanted to play football. Green had previously coached his older daughter, who was the lone girl in a boys’ team.

Opting to change the narrative, Green put together a girls’ team and insisted they play in the boys’ league as he was convinced the players were good enough. And the squad, which trains twice a week, certainly vindicated their manager’s faith after gaining promotion to the under-13s second division with victory away against Moordown & Southbourne, followed by their new “invincibles” title last weekend with a 3-0 win against Lymington Town. They’ve worked so hard all season, not just in the games, but in their training as well.

They have been really disciplined… they deserve it.”