HUNDREDS supported an all-conquering Redditch football team as they brought home the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) PlayStation Schools’ Cup.
The St Bede’s Catholic Middle School year eight boys’ team are celebrating after their 2-0 victory over All Hallows Catholic School of Aldershot on Wednesday – the first time a Redditch school has won this prestigious competition.
With ITV’s senior football commentator Clive Tyldesley hosting at Derby County’s 32,000-capacity Pride Park, the match was also live-streamed online for all to follow the excitement.
St Bede’s assistant principal Matt Russell said: “This is a fantastic achievement by a superb bunch of lads. They have performed superbly all season and thoroughly deserve all the credit they get for such a performance.
“I would like to thank the ESFA and PlayStation for organising such a wonderful day for both our players and for our incredibly noisy travelling fans.
“Our parents deserve huge credit for this, for the work they have done with the boys behind the scenes and for the support they have given me personally.”
He added: “As a school our aim is to be the best in all areas, academic subjects, sports, the arts and the behaviour of our pupils. This showed this ethos is working as our pupils in the stands were exemplary to match those on the pitch.”
After presenting the boys with their cup, Tyldesley and former Liverpool and Spurs defender John Scales described the game as ‘a tactical masterclass’ and St Bede’s player Regan Salisbury was given a PS4 as he was named man of the match.
The school came out in droves to support their team as more than 500 students in 11 coaches travelled up to Derby to cheer them on.
