EFL Kids Cup 2023/2024

On Monday 9th October, Blackpool FC Community Trust hosted our annual EFL U11’s Kids Cup tournament. The event took place at Stanley Park on the 4G facilities and was attended by approx. 180 pupils from 20 teams from primary schools across the Fylde Coast.

The EFL Trust Kids Cup is an invitation event, open to all schools in the Blackpool area, to play in a competitive 7 a side football tournament against other primary schools. The winners then earn the right to represent their school and Blackpool FC, in the regional finals, with a chance to win the opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium in London during the day of the League One play-off game.

This year consisted of 4 groups, with the top 2 teams from each group progressing through to the Quarter finals.  The group stages were tough affairs with 42 clean sheets across the day, scoring a massive 102 goals. Teams played games out in great spirit and really enjoyed the competitive nature of the morning. Thank you to all teams involved for contributing to another great competition.

After four tense quarter-finals, one of which went to a penalty shootout, we progressed to the semi-finals, where we saw Norbreck Academy play Sacred Heart in a well contested game with Sacred Heart progressing with a 2-0 win and in the other semi-final St Nicholas CofE played Saint John Vianney with St Nics coming out with a 1-0 victory.

The final was a close game, with some fantastic football on show, which saw Sacred Heart edge out in front, winning the final 1-0, and will now go on to represent their school and Blackpool FC at the regional finals next year in March.

 

Danielle Beesley-Monteath, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

“The team did outstandingly well last year winning the trophy being Year 5 pupils, so we knew that we have a good chance to compete again this year but never thought we would win the tournament again, and be the first team to win the trophy 2 years in a row! We are extremely proud of the players and look forward to going through to the regional finals again representing the school and Blackpool FC. Thanks to Blackpool FC Community Trust for another great event!”

 

Simon Smith, Primary PE Manager, Blackpool FC Community Trust said:

“Another jam-packed tournament with 20 teams attending shows the popularity of the event, and the morning again went extremely well. Thank you to all the schools that attended, and all the teams and players, we had an amazing morning with lots of football on offer. The day went smoothly, and standards again were high across the board. Once we advanced to the knockout stages, you couldn’t call who was going to come through to win. Well done to Sacred Heart for retaining the trophy for the second year on the bounce!”