GWENT County League side Pill AFC are celebrating an historic treble after completing a season of unparalleled success.
The side, managed by Newport’s Andy Beattie, were crowned Autocentres Gwent County League Division One champions, finishing a point ahead of Panteg FC.
They also won the John Payne Barber Gwent Amateur Cup, beating Ynysddu Welfare 2-0 in the final at Risca United.
And they then beat the same opponents 3-2 to win the Gwent County League County Motors Challenge Cup at Abergavenny’s Penypound Stadium.
Since the Gwent County League’s inception in 1980 Pill, formed in 1982, are the first club to win the treble and it was a perfect way for manager Beattie to sign off as he moves on from the club.
And the success didn’t stop there for Pill as the club’s eight sides won eight titles between them in a remarkable 2013/14 campaign.
As well as the first team’s three trophies, Pill also won the Monmouthshire Building Society Newport & District League Premier Division Y title, finishing nine points above AC Pontymister.
They also won the Newport & District League Division One title with a goals difference of +94 and a whopping 28-point advantage over runners-up Gaer Park AFC.
The club’s second team lifted the Newport & District League Junior Cup, beating Gaer Park 2-0 in the final, and the thirds won the Newport & District League Villa Dino Plate with a 1-0 victory over Racing Club Newport.
Finally, the Pill under-16s were crowned the Newport & District Youth League champions.
“It’s been a superb season for us,” said club president John Payne.
“We have created a piece of history and the success is all down to the hard work of the players and manager Andy Beattie and his assistant Simon Lu.
“We have been awarded a special trophy by the Gwent FA to mark our achievement and that means a lot given our history of battles with them over ground criteria.
“It shows the level of the achievement by the club and we’re all very proud.
“This club has a strong tradition,” he added. “Raymond Pulis, brother of Tony, is our chairman and we have brought through players like James Collins, Mike Flynn and Darren Jones in the past.
“The success means a lot to the people of Pill as well because we have around 150 men and boys representing us every weekend during the season.
“The club plays a big part in the community so we’re delighted to be able to celebrate a fantastic season.”
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