A GROUP of Ramsbottom footballers are celebrating after coming second in an international football competition in Barcelona, undeterred by being the smallest team to participate.

Ramsbottom United’s under 14’s 11 man squad competed against teams from Norway, France, Indonesia and Spain in six matches that took place over two days at the Football Cup Barcelona.

Despite being defeated in the initial stages of the international youth football competition, the team went on to beat Spanish team Gimnàstic de Tarragonna SAE by 5-4 in the contest’s latter stages.

The Barcelona cup match, which took place on October 24 and 25, is the biggest tournament the under 14’s have taken part in to date.

Coach Colin Dearden, who travelled with the team to the competition said: “I’m absolutely made up, I’m lost for words it was just brilliant and I couldn’t have asked for anymore from the lads.

“The atmosphere in the stadium was really good. Everyone got behind them and we had compliments from the other managers and coaches which has given the team a real boost.”

The club, who train at the Top Park site in Bolton Road, hope to take a larger squad to compete in the Barcelona cup next season.

In the mean time they are seeking promotion and hope to win the league.