North Village completed a League and FA Cup double last Sunday to bring to a close what might best be described as a season of firsts.

The 2001-2002 campaign began with BFA president Larry Mussenden in his first year at the helm, having taken office in July.

Next it was Devonshire Cougars' turn to get in on the act as they won the Martonmere Trophy in November - the club's very first major title.

And then Wolves took centre stage by winning their first-ever Dudley Eve Trophy in January.

But there was more to come for the Devonshire club as Wolves also entered the history books as the first team to win the Dudley Eve and then get relegated in the same season.

Somerset Eagles, meanwhile, made their first appearance in an FA Cup semi-final as a First Division side.

North Village were the first team in several seasons to win the league championship and FA Cup double.

And the beginning of next season will mark the first time in over two decades that Andrew Bascome, recently retired as Dandy Town coach, won't be involved in local soccer.

Off the field, the grandstand at the new National Sports Centre was opened to the footballing public for the first time at the recent Friendship Trophy final.

Reflecting on the year, local fans might look back on John Barry Nusum's wonderful bicycle kick goal for Wolves against PHC during the first leg of the Dudley Eve Final as one of, if not the best of the season.

Cougars' Mark Smith (two) and Heys Wolffe's goals during their team's Martonmere Cup win over North Village, and Kentoine Jennings' league-title clinching header against Wolves on February 24 must also rate among the season's best.

The top goalkeeping performance might belong to Wolves' Winslow Williams during the aforementioned match, along with club colleague Corby Durrant's heroics during the Dudley Eve Trophy final against PHC.

Somerset Trojans had the best defensive record this past season - they conceded just 14 league goals - while Cougars had the most explosive attack, netting 31.

Raymond Beach was the league's top marksman with 13 goals, while Kentoine Jennings enjoyed another sterling season at the heart of the Village defence and must stand a good chance of seizing MVP honours as will PHC skipper Stanton Lewis.

In midfield, PHC's Cory Dowling and Otis Steede enjoyed success while Devonshire Colts' Kuma Smith showed flashes of brilliance during the first half of the season along with Wolves' Nakia Smith.

Honours for the most promising young player would have to go to Dandy Town's Randy Swan, while the most exciting player to watch this season has arguably been Heys Wolffe.

Village, of course, were the most successful club team while First Division Boulevard pulled off an equally impressive double of League and Shield honours.