THE EURO STARS OF SUNDAY LEAGUE!

By Grace Holloway

CHAMPIONS: AFC Carnforth

FROM friends playing football in local street to competing against some of Europe’s biggest names, AFC Carnforth have quite the story to tell from their 50 years since forming.

The Cheshire Sunday club celebrated the landmark last year and now co-founder Des Hinks has penned a 130-page book – We are Carny – plotting their history and achievements.

Uniquely for a Sunday League side, they’ve played youth teams from eight of the past European Champions down they years including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Benfica.

“We didn’t really know what we were doing and how to go about it,” Hinks said. “We were basically just a bunch of mates that used to live on Carnforth Road. We’ve always regarded ourselves as a great club that do things the right way.

“I just thought, well I’ll write to Benfica, never even thinking we’d get a reply.”

But they did and Carnforth’s European adventures were underway.

“What we’ve done as a Sunday club is probably quite unique,” Hinks added. “We’d write to the major club in the country, and they said yes, and it began to sort of snowball from there. The best one was Bayern Munich!”

The club’s journey to Munich featured great hospitality with a branded Bayern Munich coach accompanying them round the city.

After beating Southampton’s youth team the night before their flight, they secured a memorable victory over Munich.

The club, who also played Barcelona’s youth team for their 21st anniversary, have their sights set on more exciting challenges with dreams of facing the likes of Ajaz, Real Madrid and PSV in the future.

“It’s two games to go to play 50 games on tour,” Hinks smiled.

Back on home soil, Carny are currently top of the ECSL Division One having enjoyed an invincible season to win the Division Two title last year and they’re targeting cup success too.

“It could be an absolutely memorable season for us if we can just keep our nerve and keep winning,” Hinks added.

We are Carny is available to be purchased by contacting [email protected]