Ventus United 2 Yeadon Veterans 1

The young guns of Ventus United are celebrating after upsetting the odds to win the Wharfedale FA Sunday Cup for the first time.

They defeated hot-favourites Yeadon Veterans 2-1 in Monday’s final at Otley Town’s Old Showfield ground.

Goals by Paul Rhodes and Billy Summers sealed victory for the Bradford Sunday Alliance Division 1B side.

What make the success all the more remarkable is the fact that the team has come up through the junior age groups and this is only their second season in senior football.

Ironically they were knocked out of the competition in the first round last season by Veterans.

There is also a family connection to the team’s success. Jack Summers is the manager, his younger brother Billy scored the winning goal and mum Karen is the club secretary.

Karen said: “Winning the final was tremendous. The boys have come through the various junior age groups together first with Bolton Woods, then as Ventus Youth and now as Ventus United.

“When the Ventus Sunday team looked like folding before last season we took the chance for the boys to step up.

“Only one of the players is 21 and the rest are all in the 18-19 age group. They were thrilled to beat Yeadon Veterans in the final because they gave us a good hiding last year.

“The boys all said afterwards that they had learned a lot and wanted to play like Veterans did that day.”

She added; “Our season has been a mixture. We weren’t playing very well until we had a five-week break because of the wet weather. Since the break we haven’t looked back.”

One of the highlights of the final for Karen was the winning goal. “Billy is right footed but he scored it with his left foot,” said his proud mum whose next big task is to polish the cup.