IN just their second season at the top of the England Colleges football pyramid, Bridgwater & Taunton College men have earned some notable accolades.

Securing the college’s highest finish in the Association of Colleges (AoC) Premier League, before it was curtailed by coronavirus, the team were on track for another historic season.

They reached the AoC National Cup quarter-finals and qualified for the AoC National Finals for the second time in three years, winning the South West regional seven-a-side competition.

They also went on a whirlwind FA Youth Cup run, beating the likes of Bristol Manor Farm, Torquay United and Oxford City to reach the first round proper, before a narrow defeat to Newport County.

The side also play in the South West Counties Youth League, and were joint top of the league with only a few games to go.

Some notable performances have seen members of the squad gain England Schools and England Colleges international caps across the last two years.

Luke Manley and Callum Watts have represented their country at home and abroad, and students have also played for BTC’s partner clubs - Southern League side Taunton Town and Western League side Bridgwater Town.

Watts has signed for Taunton for next season, and said: “I’ve enjoyed my time at BTC and I’d like to thank all the staff for helping me on my journey.

“I’m now looking to push myself into the Taunton squad and find my own feet.”

Two students have also secured soccer scholarships to play in the USA while studying at high profile colleges next year.

Patrick O’Halloran is off to Walsh University, Ohio, to play NCAA Division 2 while studying a degree in Sports Science.

Manley is heading to Mars Hill to play NCAA Division 2 while studying a business degree.

BTC has moved swiftly to sign new talent from the Bridgwater and Taunton areas, with Somerset FA Under-16 captain Merson Ham committing to BTC for next season, alongside Taunton District Schools’ Sully McKenna.

BTC will be the only college in Somerset to offer students the chance to compete at the highest level of College football, for both men’s and women’s next season, with both sides re-accepted back into AoC Sport’s Premier League.

With the build-up to next season already under way, there is still time to apply for courses; for more information regarding Team BTC, you can email Team BTC manager Jamie Laird via lairdj@btc.ac.uk.