Young football hopefuls head for Sheffield Schools Cup finals this weekend
Hundreds of young footballers are set play for glory this weekend (March 21 and 22) in the finals of the largest schools football tournament in the country.
The Sheffield Federation for School Sports, hosts its annual schools football finals for all the city’s secondary schools on Saturday 21st March at Warminster Road Playing Fields in Sheffield.
"These cup finals have been running since 1889, so carry great historical significance to Sheffield, with a number of historic cup and shields still being competed for," says Andy Davis, Chair of Sheffield Schools FA.
“They are the first set of football cup finals this season for our city secondary schools and will consist of give different age levels from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 and sixth forms.
“ It culminates in five knockout competitions, with 165 teams starting out in round 1, with ten teams remaining. Two for each age group,” explains Andy.
“Over 2000 pupils will have contributed across the city this season and 10 different schools are involved in the finals which come from all corners of the city.
"We’re all very excited to see the Premier League players of the future," says Andy.
“The teachers and school staff give their time freely to support their pupils to take part in inter school fixtures and sacrifice a great deal of the own time to ensure that the pupils are given additional opportunities to broaden their school experiences.
“For many pupils, school sport is something that adds greatly to their school life and extends their social and personal confidence. These finals also provide an additional opportunity for them to succeed and reach new heights.
“Sheffield is the city which gave football to the world and Sheffield schools still play for the trophies created in 1889, including, The Clegg Shield from 1895, The Sheffield Wednesday Shield from 1907, The Sheffield United Shield and the 1936, Handsworth Cup’" says Andy.
“All of these trophies reflect the contribution individuals and organisations have made down the years.”
“The Clegg Shield remains one of the oldest school trophies in the world that is still competed for on an annual basis.”
“These finals will be played with great competitiveness and vigour and they will be played out with great spirit and friends and families always turn out to support the event in big numbers and so we want everyone to come and see these young stars.”
“The touchlines are lined with support and the trophies will be raised at the end to form another yearly chapter in the great tapestry of Sheffield's sporting history. Memories will be made for life and not forgotten.”
“For our young people these finals can be the highlight of their year and make such a difference to their school life,” concludes Andy.
The cup finals take place on Saturday 21st March with kick off at Warminster Road Playing Fields , The University of Sheffield at 10am.”
For more information go to www.sfss.co.uk