BOLTON Wanderers/Bolton College’s Under-23s Elite Football Development Squad have won the National Football Youth League Men’s Cup.

In the final at the University of Bolton Stadium, Bolton beat Solihull Moors FC F&E team 4-1, thanks to goals from Nils Grau, Mohammed Nageeb, Mugalulu Obua Hashim and Danny Okun.

The team is made up of members of Wanderers in the Community/Bolton College’s Elite Development Squad as part of a partnetrship between Wanderers and the college.

That sees footballers playing in Wanderers’ Elite Development Squad,but also studying at Bolton College on a sport BTEC Level Three study programme.

The aim of the programme is to develop young players through education and football, giving them the opportunity to go on to a higher education programme or follow a pathway into the game.

And all those involved were overjoyed to pick up silverware in the final.

Mike Bruns, head of service industries and curriculum leader for sport at Bolton College, said: “The lads have worked incredibly hard over the last academic year to perform at the level that they have, travelling all over the country to reach the finals, while managing their educational studies which have remained to a very high standard.”

Head of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Ben Lawton, added: “Having developed the programme over the last three years, seeing the overall team success in winning a national title is very rewarding for all involved.

“It shows that when passionate organisations come together to create pathways for our young people, with sport as the catalyst to inspire, support and deliver positive change, success for those individuals will soon follow.

“We’re all immensely proud of what the students have achieved and hope the experience will motivate them to continue striving for success in the future.”