A GROUP of friends from Laindon have moved from the pub to the pitch with remarkable success this season.

Terry Saggers and his mates have long used the Bluehouse Social Club, in Laindon Link, as their regular haunt.

And the appropriately named Bluehouse have just enjoyed the perfect season in the Southend Borough Combination Veterans League Division Three, with all 22 of their league matches and all four of their cup matches ending in victory.

And captain Saggers said he was delighted with the team’s achievements, especially after their relegation last season.

“It was a great season for the club,” said Saggers, 44.

“Not many sides can say they have managed to win every single one of their league games but we did and in comprehensive fashion as well.

“Our top scorer Bradley Lawrence ended the season with 48 goals but he was just one of a number of excellent performers.”

Lawrence scored a brace as Bluehouse won the Division Three Cup against South Benfleet United seconds.

And Saggers said the team, which formed in 2010, is confident they can make a better fist of it next season, following their relegation last term.

“It is strange as it is the same bunch that went down last year but something happened this time around,” he said.

“We will not go down next year. We are on a high and want to push on. Morale was low but we are all buzzing at the moment and there is more belief.

“We didn’t expect this and we won convincingly every week.

“We want to be there and will be pushing further up the standings.”

Saggers praised the impact of manager Dave Barman and assistant manager Keith Shorter, and added it was nice the old friends has used football to stay in touch so regularly.

“In 2010 a lot of us played together,” he said.

“We started drinking down the Bluehouse Club and decided to get a veterans team together.

“Initially it was about seven of us that wanted to start it before more people decided to join and it is a great bunch and we are all best mates.

“We won the league in the second year but went through numerous managers so that was hard for the team.

“But we are more stable now and are looking onwards to exciting times ahead.”