A YOUNG football team did Dartford proud when they represented the borough in a seven-a-side tournament in France last week.

Made up of boys aged 10 and 11 from the Dartford FC player development programme, the team returned home with the Michel Ente Trophy from the 38th annual Trophee des Fortifications competition.

They were invited as part of a joint initiative between the Twinning Associations of Dartford and Gravelines, Dartford’s twin town in France.

Having lost their first group game 3-2 against US Lesquin, the Dartford side bounced back to enjoy 1-0 triumphs over US Gravelines and SC Bourbourg.

This secured the runner-up spot and saw the boys take on the three other second-placed group sides for a crack at the Michel Ente Trophy.

They needed a penalty shootout win over SC Grand-Fort Phillipe in the semi-final, but comprehensively beat O. Grande-Synthe 7-1 in the final to seal the cup.

The boys were then greeted by a delegation which included the deputy mayor, representatives from the Gravelines Twinning Association and senior members of US Gravelines, including their head of youth development.

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