Three teenagers are preparing for life in the top flight of a youth league as they celebrate almost a decade of playing alongside one another.

Tyler Rees, Thomas Doran and Cameron Medhurst - all 17-year-old defenders - have played for Selkent League outfit Northfleet Eagles since they were eight.

It’s been a real rollercoaster for the trio who were relegated as low as the D League with the side, losing three cup finals along the way, but they now have been promoted to the A League having won two cup finals in recent years as well.

“He is now 17. He has captained the team since he was eight,” said Melanie Rees, the mum of Mayfield Grammar School student Tyler.

“They have just achieved so much for a team that were relegated and have lost three cup finals. They are now in the A League.

“It’s a massive achievement, particularly for the three boys that have been with the team through everything.

“They will all be under-18s next season which is exciting.”

Rees and Saint George’s Church of England School student Doran are centre-backs while Northfleet Technology College pupil Medhurst, whose dad Arron now manages the side, is also part of the defence with Northfleet having earned promotion as they finished second behind winners Fleetdown United at the end of the 2021/22 B League campaign.

Melanie added: “We actually have become friends with the parents by going through all that with the team.

“They all came around on Saturday for drinks. To go through all that and stick with it is a big achievement for them.”

And even during the summer months, two of the boys have ended up playing together.

“It’s funny actually because Tyler and Cameron have part-time jobs at McDonald’s,” Melanie explained.

“They played five-a-side for McDonald’s. It just shows, if you make friends, you never know where you will end up.”