A Hackney-based club have become the first team to win both the British and English Deaf Cup, after beating Basingstoke to complete the historic double.

St Johns Deaf FC, based in Manor House, beat Glasgow Deaf AFC 4-0 in Edinburgh earlier this month to clinch the BDF Cup, and they became the first team ever to hold this trophy and the English Deaf Cup simultaneously when they defeated Basingstoke 2-0.

It is third time lucky for St Johns after winning one piece of silverware but then losing out on the other in the final on two separate occasions.

The Essex Alliance League side also compete in the Barking Futsal League and came seventh out of 32 teams in the Deaf Champions League Futsal campaign in Austria in February, having previously won the elite Deaf Champions League three times in a row.

Manager Memnos Costi was immensely proud of his team’s achievements, after they capped a memorable season by beating Vittoriosia Falcons 4-2 in the final of the Essex Alliance League Division One Cup.

“The next goal is a fourth Deaf Champions League trophy in Denmark next year!” said Costi. “I’m eyeing up the youth players coming through the ranks.

“This incredible season has given a boost to those players currently in training to play for their country at the European Deaf Championships in Germany.”

The roots of Deaf football go back to the 19th century and teams play with a fierce passion. Teams across the country – and Europe – battle it out every year.