At the end of September 2019, 18 schools from across Blackpool participated in the Kids Cup for the opportunity to win a place in the local final at Bloomfield Road Stadium.
After an eventful day of group stages, quarter finals and semi finals the last two teams standing where Roseacre Primary School and Norbreck Primary Academy.
The teams met again on Saturday 12thOctober to decide who will go on to represent Blackpool FC at the regional finals early next year.
Norbreck Primary Academy were crowned the 2019 Kids Cup Winners at Bloomfield Road, the home of Blackpool FC Community Trust, scoring a single goal to see off a very impressive Roseacre Primary Academy team in a 1-0 victory.
Both teams were invited to watch the Blackpool v Rotherham United game before gracing the turf themselves. The final was an evenly contested game. Chances were limited due to the superb defensive displays of both teams. With the game drawing to a close and the final heading towards extra time, Norbreck broke the deadlock with a thunderbolt of a strike into the bottom corner of the net, a goal worthy of winning any final.
The game then came to life with Roseacre bombarding the Norbreck goal and needed an excellent goalkeeping performance from the Norbreck goalkeeper. Commiserations to Roseacre, who battled well throughout the game.
Rob Oakes, teacher at Norbreck Acadmey:
“The game was extremely competitive and was decided by a moment of brilliance. I’m so proud of the team as they kept their nerve, played for each other and gave their all.”
Theo, captain of Norbreck Academy football team:
“From the first whistle, we played with a great team spirit, we believed in each other and remained calm all the way through to the end. Lifting the Kids Cup trophy at Bloomfield Road was an extremely proud moment and a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
Ollie Clarke, Physical Education Officer said: “The whole tournament has been an excellent showcase of footballing talent and all teams should be extremely proud of their efforts. Thankyou to those who came to support the final, it has been a truly enjoyable experience being involved in such a special day for the children of both Roseacre Academy and Norbreck Academy. I am now looking forward to taking the winners, Norbreck, to the next stage of the competition and I am sure they will represent Blackpool Community Trust very well.”
Congratulations to Norbreck, who will now represent Blackpool F.C Community Trust in the EFL Kids Cup North Regional finals. This will be held in March 2020 at Accrington Stanley FC, where they will compete against other schools representing their EFL clubs to battle it out for the opportunity to play at Wembley before the Sky Bet League One EFL Play-Off Final.