MUSSELBURGH Windsor under-15 girls’ football team are celebrating after being named Scottish Youth Team of the Year 2019 at the Scottish Women’s Football Awards.

Coach Michael Windram said: “It was the icing on the cake to our best season ever.”

The team, who went unbeaten all season in the league, were winners of the South East 1st Division Championship and South East Region League Cup.

Windram said the moment the players heard they had scooped Scottish Youth Team of the Year was one of “thrill and surprise”.

They beat Boroughmuir U15s, Aberdeen U19s and East Fife U15s to win the honour at the prestigious awards ceremony at Glasgow Marriott Hotel, attended by Scotland internationals including national team captain Rachel Corsie.

Windram said: “I think the girls and coaches were still in shock as we went up on to the stage to collect the award. When we got back to our seats, all the parents and players were hugging. It was very emotional, which was great.

“I was so pleased that those that could make it along were there on the night, as for some of these players they have been with us for over six and seven years, and it was great to see what it meant to the parents as well as the players.

“I have worked with most of the girls all their footballing lives in the 10 years I’ve coached at Musselburgh Windsor. It was so satisfying to stand back and watch these girls see all their hard work and commitment, and parents’ support, pay off with this award.

“They have had a remarkable season which comes along once in a lifetime for some and I was so pleased so many could share the evening with us as coaches.

“I know this will live long in my memory well after I have stopped coaching and hope these are the moments that the girls will remember, not just as players but as friends and team-mates for years to come.

“They worked extremely hard all season for each other and the togetherness and joy they showed in training and games made this award so much more special.

“We were honoured to have been nominated. The three other finalists had fantastic seasons too, winning respective League Cup trophies this season.

“To be in a room with so many amazing teams and players from all over the country, and rubbing shoulders with Scottish internationals, was very daunting.

“However, our girls deserved to have their moment after a remarkable achievement winning the League Cup, league championship and going unbeaten all season [in the league].

“Windsor U15s were the only team in Scotland to achieve all this in one season across all of Scottish women’s and girls’ football in 2019.”

Captain Sarah Knox added: “The award ceremony was really good – it was funny seeing the girls in dresses and heels!

“We were very proud to be nominated after such a brilliant season and winning Team of the Year was the icing on the cake. I was shocked when they announced us as the winners, but delighted.”

Windram paid tribute to the under-15s’ squad of Julianna McKenzie, Flick Johnston, Niamh Woodrow, Sarah Knox, Mia Brotherston, Megan Wood, Skye Feeley, Estelle Telford, Nicole Hogg, Giorgia De Martino, Lola Drybrough, Freyja Bjarnason, Caitlin Armstrong, Erin French, Katie Neilson, Emma Hume, Emma Joyal and Jenna Rushford.

He said: “We had lost eight players from the previous year to other clubs but had recruited to replace them so we were going into the unknown with half a squad that had not played together.

“But these girls were to prove that a close bond and hard work was to be the driving force.”