Hartpury University student footballers are now aiming to become national champions after winning their Premier League with three games to spare.

The men’s first team wrapped up the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Premier South League title before Christmas by winning all of their first seven matches.

Hartpury University now goes forward to the National Championship knockout competition in February.

The students have benefitted from working with a team of highly qualified and motivated coaches, headed up by Senior Men’s Football Manager and Hartpury University graduate Chris Knowles.

He is supported by Senior Football Coach and Hartpury graduate Spencer Hamilton, who won Sports Academy Student of the Year at this year’s Graduation Ceremony, and Martin Longworth.

The coaching team is further enhanced by Head of Analysis Phil Clarke and Hartpury graduate Tom Staten who is providing sports psychology expertise across the football programme.

Chris Knowles said: “Everyone involved in the squad should be extremely proud of their achievement in winning the BUCS Premier South League title with three games to spare.

“The players deserve special credit for applying themselves so professionally, both in training and on match day, and for taking on board the advice and information they’ve been provided by our coaching team.”

Paul Tassell, Football Academy Manager at Hartpury, added: “This is a great achievement for all involved. They have reacted positively to the heartbreak of last year, when they lost narrowly in the national final, and worked tirelessly to consistently perform every week.”