Brown on the up again as Colts secure glory treble

Dunbar United Colts lost their proud 100 per cent league record in their final game in the South East Region Under-14 Division Three but claimed the championship trophy on the same day to complete a treble win of silverware.

Colts' league title win follows victory in the finals of both the Paladin Cup and the Pilmar Smith Cup in a glittering campaign for the club.

Manager Stewart Brown will lead his side into Division Two next season having presided over two promotions in successive seasons.

"I fully expected us to do well in this league but I didn't think we had the strength in depth to go this far," said Brown.

"We've done really, really well this season, won two cups, won the league and been beaten in the semi-final of the Willie Bauld Cup by Tynecastle.

"From what we looked to do at the start of the season, we've done it - and more. The squad that we've got are great lads and they want to win."

Brown is optimistic that his charges can handle the step up to the second tier of under-15 football but will reserve judgement on Colts' chances of achieving three consecutive promotions.

"I think it will be very difficult," he said. "If we can keep the squad that we've got and add to it, then I fully expect us to be competing at the top of the table.

"There are a lot of good teams, like Eskmill, who have run us close this season and I would like to compliment them on how they've handled themselves and how they play football."

Brown stressed his desire to draw talented youngsters from the area surrounding Dunbar - and who can blame him for preferring to recruit locally when the East Lothian boys on the club's books have such an enthusiasm for football, even when it means practising drills in the harshest of winters.

"We want to keep the lads within a six to ten-mile radius (and] have them enjoy their football," he said.

"It's very important for the team to win, obviously, because the lads love it and football's about winning trophies. But it's more important to me that the lads develop as footballers.

"We've got a squad there who all want to learn, all want to progress. We've got lads being looked at by good clubs and that's what we want to do at Dunbar - make sure the youngsters get the opportunity to play football.

"Training is always enjoyable. Dunbar is the windiest town in the world. We go out there on the Astroturf and it can be pouring with rain. The lads even wanted to train in the snow.

"We get a full turnout at training every week and the guys really work hard. The other two coaches, Darren Dunn and Chris Darling, (have] absolutely fantastic attitudes and want to win. They want to progress the youngsters as footballers."