Dad takes daughter’s U11 football team to the top of the league, undefeated for 50 games
A dad who took over his daughter’s football team in 2022 has taken the group of talented young players to the top of the league, winning all major football competitions in their region and remaining unbeaten for 50 games.
The U11 Raiders Girls team, based at the AFC Lewisham club in Eltham Road, Eltham, have now been invited to take part in the Elite Junior Premier League 2024/25 after completing their second season in the Kent Girls and Ladies Football League (KGLFL) unbeaten.
To date the team have won all their 50 matches, including friendlies.
Yemi Bello, 47, who lives near Lee Green in Lee, Lewisham, took on the role as head coach of the team his daughter – Tia-Rose Bello, 11 – plays for, in October 2022.
Mr Bello said: “They went from a team that lost every match to a team that has won every match.
“It’s remarkable, we have such a diverse team and they’ve been fantastic.”
At the end of Mr Bello’s first season, while playing at Long Lane Football Club in Dursley Road, Kidbrooke, the Raiders girls finished the KGLFL Red Winter League unbeaten.
In June 2023, the Raiders moved from their Long Lane club to AFC Lewisham – where they became the club’s first girl’s team.
Just two weeks ago, under AFC Lewisham, the girls were declared winners of their second Red Shield.
The win makes the girls the first team to win the A-League girls Red Shield under two different clubs in consecutive football seasons.
Mr Bello said: “The girls were ecstatic, they’ve made history.
“They’re really progressing.”
But, their acclaim has not gone unnoticed with one of the girls recently being offered a space by Charlton Academy and by Millwall – which she turned down.
Mr Bello said: “People have are seeing what we’ve done and the girls talent is being recognised which is great.”
Now, Mr Bello has been offered a position as Head Coach of the U12 Girls team at Erith and Belvedere FC in Foots Cray Rugby Club, New Eltham.
The new role will see Mr Bello form a team to play in the Saturday Junior Premier League (JPL), to run alongside his existing Sunday KGLFL League with AFC Lewisham.
Mr Bello said: “We are looking to trial some new players in year 5 and 6 from schools in South-east London for the JPL team.
“We’re going to be playing against the big teams. It’s great that all the hard work has been recognised to get us here.”
Following an article in the South London Press earlier this year, the team received sponsorship for the remainder of their season with funding from Keith Gordon of Greensleeves lawn care services and James and Charlotte Pratt of Almanac Recruiting, going towards the team’s winter training tops and extra equipment.
The girls were also gifted winning football tops by Morleys in Erith Road, Bexleyheath.
Pictured top: The U11 Raiders Girls team with coach Yemi Bello far left (Picture: Joe Paterson)
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