PRIESTLEY College will be hoping to take advantage of games in hand in order to retain their league title.

After wins over Winstanley, Sir John Deane’s and Oldham Colleges, Priestley sit third in the North West Colleges Premier Division.

Their tally of 12 points puts them six behind the league leaders but, crucially, Priestley have played three games less.

The team may be missing some of 2017’s star players, but manager Dan Jordan has appointed three captains this year to ensure there is always someone to lead the team.

Two of the team’s leaders, Joe Salter and Mick Mitchell, say the change has gone down well among the players.

“Last year it was more about some key individuals whereas this year we are more of a team,” Salter said.

“We were concerned that we might not perform as well, but we’ve gelled as a team and we want to win for each other.”

Mitchell added: “We’ve not conceded many goals, but when we have we’ve struck back straight away, which is down to the team spirit.

“Even when the scoreline is not looking good the whole team is still there working hard and if someone is having a bad game we all keep encouraging them.”

Winger Salter, who is also on the books at Witton Albion, has also set his sights on winning a scholarship to play in America.

Next month, Salter and some of his Priestley teammates will travel across the Atlantic to play in a short tour, where he hopes to attract interest from American college scouts.

“The approach over there is different to the UK because you train like a professional athlete at the school and colleges level,” he said.

“At college level you can be playing in front of thousands of people so it will be a great experience for me.”