North Village have set a high standard for themselves after becoming the first Corona League team to win all domestic trophies by beating Robin Hood in the Knockout Cup final.

Village started the season by winning the Charity Shield and then wrapped up a first league title two weeks ago to establish themselves as the team to beat next term.

Randy Spence, the team’s captain, said the key to the team’s success was the commitment made by a squad of players who are past their prime but who still enjoy the competitiveness of the sport.

“To win three cups you have to be consistent and committed,” said Spence, who also serves as the Premier Division team’s assistant coach.

“Nobody has seen the ball more than me, with the Premier Division team going to three nights a week training, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and the Corona team meeting on Wednesday nights when we knocked the ball around to loosen up the legs.

“Then we played on the Friday or Saturday night before the game and on Sunday with the Premier Division team.”

Spence said that the Corona League is becoming quite competitive with teams like Tuff Dogs, the previous league champions, Robin Hood and Lock & Key taking it seriously. Village went unbeaten from November before finally pipping Hood to the league title.

“Our roster was touching 30 guys so we could rest some guys, but we had four or five guys who were there every week, including myself as captain,” Spence said.

“A few of the [former Village] guys actually came out to watch the games, saw how much we were enjoying it and decided to sign up.”

Village have the Charity Shield and the Knockout Cup, which they also won last year, but are still waiting to be presented with the league trophy.

“The Corona League has guys like John Barry Nusum and Lloyd Holder and I’m pretty sure next season there will be even more Premier Division players in their early 30s coming over to play,” Spence said.

“That will make the league even better, in terms of bringing up the competitiveness a little more.

“We hadn’t lost since November and the pressure was on. Coming into the second half of the season Lock & Key were sitting on top of the table.

“They have a few players who played in the Premier Division like Chris Furbert, Blenn Bean, Devarr Boyles and Marvin Belboda.

“Even for me, I get the chance to play with some guys I haven’t played with for a while like Kofi Dill, Jemeiko Jennings and Tafari Outerbridge, so it is almost like a reunion, but at a faster pace than the Masters.”

One team, new-boys B&V United, became the first Corona League team to play in the FA Cup, where they beat First Division side BAA Wanderers. Spence believes that other Corona League teams could go into the FA Cup and provide competitive opposition.

“We weren’t able to do it because we share the same name as our Premier Division team, but it could bring some excitement to the FA Cup,” he said.

“Who knows, you could get to the quarter-finals and then you are pulling out big crowds, which would be good for the Corona League. We’re a team that doesn’t train but we have a winning mentality and the majority of the players, apart from one or two young guys who we have for pace and legs, have won everything.

“North Village really enjoy playing in the Corona League, it’s an organised league and it’s a joy to go out to Goose Gosling Field and play.

“It’s a nice family environment with two games on the Friday and three on the Saturday.

“I know teams will get stronger next season because they don’t want to see us win all three trophies again. I know certain teams are going to be recruiting.”