Our competition for school teams was contested for the fifth time in 2023.A six-a-side competition for school teams, all National League clubs are invited to enter and this year 50 took part: each ran a tournament for their local schools in two events: mixed/boys and girls competitions.Winners and runners-up went on to represent their club in regional finals, followed by North and South Finals.Almost 1,000 schools took part across all stages of the Cup, with more than 7,500 children involved.
This year the Finals returned to Wembley Stadium on 13 May, and were played on the pitch before the Promotion Play-Off between Chesterfield and Notts County. Over 250 family and friends journeyed to Wembley to cheer the teams on.
The mixed/boys final saw Dartford take on Scunthorpe United. Joydens Wood Junior School represented Dartford in and with Messingham Primary School from Scunthorpe. Dartford won the game 2-0.
There was an even clash between Scarborough Athletic and Maidstone United in the girls’ game.Scarborough are represented by Seamer and Irton Community Primary School and Maidstone by Palace Wood Primary School.This match was 3–3 after normal time, and the penalty shoot-out eventually ended 10-9 in favour of Maidstone United – the second year in a row that a team from Maidstone have won this tournament.
Kent clearly has a high standard of primary school football, and Kent School’s FA tweeted their congratulations. After the two finals all of the teams climbed the iconic stairway to the Royal Box to collect their awards from Trust Chair Jack Pearce, and trustees Terry Angus and Paul Fairclough.
We hope that many more National League clubs will enter the competition next year: for further information contact us on admin@nationalleaguetrust.org.uk.
