The local stages of the EFL Kids Cup are now completed and it will be South Failsworth Primary School who will go on to represent Oldham Athletic at the northern finals of the competition.
South Failsworth were crowned Oldham champions after beating a spirited St Edwards in the final of a competition in which 32 primary schools from across Oldham entered.
The Kids Cup is a key part of the OACT delivery calendar and offers school children the unique opportunity of potentially playing at Wembley Stadium.
South Failsworth are no strangers to the Kids Cup as they are previous winners of the competition back in 2015. In addition to this success the school have made it to the northern finals on five separate occasions alongside three trips to Wembley.
Mike Jones, South Failsworth Primary School Headteacher commented: “I have been at this school for 21 years and I am now in my retirement year. I have been amazed at the quality and depth of football talent in the school, consistently, over so many years.
“Failsworth appears to have a 'factory' for producing some wonderful footballers year after year. I think we are the only primary school in England to have reached Wembley on three occasions. So it has been a wonderful privilege to watch children play a game I love, at a high level for their age, and with an attitude of passion but not boasting or gloating.”
The next stage of the competition will now see South Failsworth, representing Oldham Athletic, travel to Wigan in March to compete in the northern finals with a place at Wembley Stadium on offer for the winner.
Martin Vose, OACT Community Manager added: “It has been another successful year delivering our EFL Kids Cup competition, we have engaged with hundreds of children across 32 schools with the standard of football and behaviour the highest I have ever seen.
“I would like to thank everyone who was apart of this years competition for playing their role in making the competition as successful as it was. I would also like to congratulate South Failsworth Primary School on their fantastic achievement, they have a staggering history in this competition.”
Images courtesy of Darren Robinson Photography - www.darrenrobinsonphoto.com