A hero football manager who coaches his team, acts as a physio, paints the lines and picks up the litter, has won his first ever match - and scooped a national radio award in the process.

South Darenth boys D team coach Jim Osborne received the best possible Christmas present by watching his team end a miserable run of heavy defeats with a 3-1 victory.

Mr Osborne, of Montgomery Road, South Darenth has spent much of his spare time in the last two years helping his fledgling players steadily improve during a dodgy run of form which included 7-0, 8-0 and 13-1 defeats.

Turning around the team's ailing fortunes has proven a tough task, but this all changed last month in a match against Baldon Sports, which the struggling South Darenth youngsters won 3-1.

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South Darenth boys D team celebrate their first win under coach Jim Osborne

Jim's son Colin, 41 - who coaches the B team - told News Shopper: "The players were struggling. 

"They're not the most gifted but they'll always give 200 per cent.

"All of them have got a heart of gold. They'll lose 13-1 and come off the pitch smiling.

"They're all so enthusiastic - they get excited probably too much. 

"They are not the best footballers but they give twice as much enthusiasm. 

"When they beat Baldon it was like they had won The World Cup. 

"Even the parents were going mad - they had to go through a lot as well, watching the boys lose week after week."

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Jim Osborne paints the pitch in preparation for his team's next performance

The 68-year-old West Ham fan has coached football all his life - peaking with a spell at Leighton Wingate in the Ishmian League - but stopped 10 years ago.

He was coaxed out of retirement in 2012 to manage the South Darenth under 12 D team, which competes in the Selkent D Division.

Jim has now been rewarded for his efforts with an Absolute Radio All Wrapped Up achievement award - which offers people the chance to win the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one.

The prize also included tickets to see The Who and a visit to West Ham United's training ground - including a chance to meet the players.

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Jim Osborne has been in charge of the South Darenth boys D team for two years

Colin, of Coopers Close, South Darenth, said: "I thought he deserved it. He paints lines on the pitch every matchday, he picks up litter.

"He takes it upon himself to do that every week without fail. If it's raining he'll do it in the rain. We've even bought him a special sprayer.

"He picks up litter in the village not just for the football team. He takes a litter picker out when he takes his dog out for a walk."