WHEN Little Miss Magic, Hayley Langford, stepped out on to the pitch on Saturday she became the first girl ever to take part in a Leigh District Youth League cup final.
The 11-years-old midfield star of Mosley Common United was hoping to score the winner against Culcheth Athletic in the battle for the trophy at Crilly Park, Atherton but it all ended is disappointment as Culcheth won 5-4.
But it's been a brilliant first season for the squad, who are also expected to finish runners-up in the league, after a late start.
The team was launched last August after team manager, Alan Todd, long time retired manager of prestigious Lancashire Shield winners Walkden Town, became disgruntled by his son Charlie's school team results.
Alan went along to watch their matches and fed up with the heavy defeats offered to help. He took over the training and decided they needed league football to gain experience.
He entered them into the Leigh League at the last minute and thought if they didn't finish bottom it would be a great achievement.
Mosley Common United was born.
When ex-Manchester City star Mike Doyle heard Alan had started a team he phoned to say he had a exciting prospect in young Kirt Seddon.
Alan rang Kirt who asked if he could bring his mate with him - and that turned out to be Hayley.
"I could have dropped dead when I saw his friend was a girl," said Alan. "My main concern was that she wouldn't get hurt. I put her in a five-a-side session and stood in awe of her skills.
"After that session one of the lads quipped 'Who's that? Miss Magic' and the name stuck. She outshines all the lads with her football trickery."
When Hayley first appeared the lads' noses turned up, but they soon accepted her when they discovered her talents.
Now they love and respect her and will be sorry to lose her when she is forced to leave the team at the end of the season. FA Rules state that girls can only play in a mixed team up to the age of 12.
But though she is sad to be forced off the team she has been invited to join Manchester United ladies' training sessions next season.
Hayley said: "It's going to be heartbreaking not playing with Mosley Common but I hope Alan gets a girls' team going so that I can stay at the club.
"Alan knows football inside out and is a great manager. I hang on to every word he says. To start a team off from nothing and achieve what he has in one season is amazing. He has improved us all and I can't praise him enough."
Hayley has been the star of most games and has been a match winner on many occasions.
Alan, who bought the team's black and white strip and a reserve red strip, said: "All the lads have improved in leaps and bounds but most of our success is down to Hayley."
Her side's free kick expert, she has everything, control and skill, she is a good header and passer and has a powerful shot.
A tall and stocky girl for her age, Hayley has not let all the attention go to her head.
Though she attended a ball skills class at an early age she is still keen to learn, is a great team player and plays a major part in set pieces carrying out instructions to the letter.
Parents Dawn and Martin are great supports for their daughter and turn up to watch every match
Dawn said: "She has done very well. We are very proud of her."
Manchester United-mad Hayley, though she is looking forward to training with United ladies, is hoping to be able to continue playing with Mosley Common in a girls' side.
Alan said: " Today lots of girls want to play football and we played the final at Atherton Laburnum Rovers where they are just starting up a girls' team. Ladies football is now getting very big and we are looking for girls with good skill to start up a ladies' team so Hayley can still play for us in a seven-a side league.
The squad train on Thursdays and will continue during the summer at St John's Junior School, Mosley Common.
The club is also looking for a sponsor for the new season and anyone who can help can contact Alan on 0773 6905 878.
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