English Schools' Football Association

The ESFA PlayStation Schools’ Cup Finals crowned 13 National Champions for the 2017 Season

Derby County FC was the setting for this season’s ESFA PlayStation Schools’ Cup Finals and a whole host of treats were in store for all those that attended. From T-shirt cannons, competitions and giveaways for spectators in the stadium, a selfie competition that online spectators could join in with to appearances from Premier League stars! The three day event was a spectacular celebration of all things Schools’ Football and a fantastic experience for all teams involved.

Day 1 | Monday 15 May

A day full of excitement and heartbreak in equal measure, it wasn’t an easy ride to the cup title for any of the 10 teams that took to the Pride Park pitch.

U12 9 a side PlayStation Schools’ Cup 

Thomas Telford School v Northampton School for Boys

Thomas Telford School celebrate their U12 Schools' Cup Victory

The final saw Thomas Telford walk away as National Champions with a hat-trick from Nath Fraser helping to secure them their 4-1 victory

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q1HLaVRlE7U?ecver=1

U13 PlayStation Schools’ Cup for Girls

St Ivo School v Chesterfield High School

Chesterfield Celebrate Success at the 2017 PS Schools' Cup Finals

St Ivo, in their third successive festival and Chesterfield drew with a 1 all score after full time and Chesterfield secured the win following a tense penalty shootout

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/fSghDKLSRxM?ecver=1

U12 9 a side PlayStation Schools’ Cup for B Team 

Wright Robinson College v Whitgift School

Whitgift Celebrate Becoming National Champions 2017

In a close game throughout, Whitgift managed to steal a 1-0 victory to be crowned National Champions 2017 at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/v178zx6iecc?ecver=1

U14 PlayStation Open Schools’ Cup

Ashfield School v The Oxford Academy

Ashfield School enjoy their win as Everton's Tom Davies looks on at the Champions' Celebrations

In a truly sensational final, watched online by over 10,000 people, Ashfield School emerged 4 -2 winners in an incredible encounter between the two teams. Everton’s rising star Tom Davies was on hand to award both teams with their medals and trophy following the match.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/jJaiHZvHvOI?ecver=1

U15 PlayStation Schools’ Cup for Girls

 Heathside School v South Hunsley School

South Hunsley's U15 Girls Pose for a Celebratory Photo with England and Man City Ladies Captain, Steph Houghton

Fresh from her FA Cup win at the weekend, Steph Houghton was on hand to watch the girls play and award them with their medals following another fantastic display of Girls’ Football. South Hunsley were crowned winners following a 5 – 1 scoreline.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/x6FNqtyvDdU?ecver=1

Day 2 | Tuesday 16 May

Day two proved to be as full of drama and tightly contested games with four out of five matches being decided by penalties or won on a one-goal margin.

U14 PlayStation Schools’ Cup for B Teams

Carshalton Boys’ Sports College v Audenshaw School

Carshalton Boys Cheer towards their Managers and the Crowd as they become National Champions

Carshalton Boys’ raced to the lead with a 3 – 0 scoreline, before Audenshaw’s incredible fighting spirit brought them level after a dramatic equaliser three minutes into injury time. Carshalton ended the match victorious after holding their nerve to win 5 - 4 on penalties.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/a_mvZNEGlKM?ecver=1

U13 PlayStation Small Schools’ Cup

Ibstock Place School v The De La Salle Academy

De La Salle Academy Stop for a Winners Photo with England and Liverpool Legend, John Scales

In another closely fought encounter, the former school of Wayne Rooney, the De La Salle Academy emerged victorious with a narrow 2 – 1 win against Ibstock Place.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Ip1H0J7yDc?ecver=1

U13 PlayStation Schools’ Cup for B Teams

Kingsdale School v Walkden High School

Walkden High School Celebrate their success with England and Stoke Legend, Peter Crouch

The third match of day 3 was to be the first goalless game of the festival – with nothing but the cruel lottery of penalties deciding the outcome. Walkden High School eventually became victorious, winning 4 – 3. Both teams were congratulated by the England and Stoke City Superstar, Peter Crouch as he handed all players their medals and trophy.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xd5JKXpkxas?ecver=1

U14 PlayStation Small Schools’ Cup

Bury Grammar School Boys v St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School

Bury Grammar School Celebrate becoming U14 Small Schools' Champions 2017

The next competition of the day produced a 7 – goal thriller! After racing to a 3 – 1 lead, Bury Grammar School were pegged back by a determined St Bernard’s team, however their efforts went unrewarded on this occasion as Bury took home the trophy following a 4 – 3 result.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/tnqWuiWqVp8?ecver=1

U15 PlayStation Small Schools’ Cup

Ellesmere Port Catholic High School v Langley School

Langley School Celebrate their Victory at Derby County FC

A high standard of football was on show yet again in the final match of day 2. Langley, coached by the former Norwich City star, Darren Eadie ended the match on a 5 – 0 win.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/dBDBPFi05P0?ecver=1

Day 3 | Wednesday 17 May

The rain poured persistently throughout the third day of this year’s festival, leading to the final two matches of the day being called off by Officials, with the waterlogged pitch being deemed unplayable.

WATCH: Coverage here

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Ptzx81brKU?ecver=1

U12 PlayStation Open Schools’ Cup

Riddlesdown Collegiate v Thomas Telford School

Thomas Telford Celebrate their second victory of the Festival

Thomas Telford fought back from being 2 – 0 down to level the score at 2 – 2 after full time, leaving the first match of the day to be decided again, by penalties. The team continued their fight and reigned victorious, beating Riddlesdown 3 – 2 on penalty kicks.

U13 PlayStation Schools’ Cup for Boys

St Bede’s Catholic Middle School v All Hallows Catholic School

St Bede's Cheer to their 500 strong crowd after being presented with their trophy by Commentary legend Clive Tyldesley

St Bede’s Middle School certainly brought the noise with them to the ESFA PlayStation Schools’ Cup Finals, with around 500 spectators accompanying them to the Pride Park Stadium. The first match of two to be commentated on by the fantastic, Clive Tyldesley, the supporters had plenty to cheer as St Bede’s won the competition 2 – 0 against All Hallows Catholic School.

U13 PlayStation Open Schools’ Cup

Whitgift School v Thomas Telford School

Thomas Telford Celebrate out of the Rain with Everton & England's Leighton Baines

Thomas Telford were to secure their second title of the day after beating Whitgift 5 – 4 on penalties after a 1 – 1 draw at full time. Everton and England hero, Leighton Baines, braved the rain and mud to present Thomas Telford with their winners’ trophy on the pitch and he also joined them in the dressing rooms after the match to offer his congratulations.

Postponed Matches

With the final two matches called off, Leighton took the time to have photos taken with the four remaining teams, who were already at the stadium ahead of their kick offs. The English Schools’ FA are currently awaiting confirmations for play on dates for the remaining two finals and these will be communicated at the earliest possible opportunity.

U14 PlayStation Schools' Cup for Girls'

Rossett School with Leighton Baines

St Ivo School with Leighton Baines

U15 PlayStation Open Schools' Cup

Nene Park School with Leighton Baines

Sandwell Academy & Leighton Baines

The ESFA would like to say a huge thank you to competition sponsors, PlayStation, for their continued support of Schools’ Football and also to the Club Staff at Derby County FC for their support throughout the three days at the Festival.

Special thanks also goes to all the PlayStation Schools’ Cup Ambassadors that attended the event over the three days to provide entertainment and encouragement to all the participants and spectators –

• Tom Davies
• Steph Houghton
• Peter Crouch
• Leighton Baines
• John Farnworth
• Dan Magness
• John Scales
• Clive Tyldesley

Finally, huge congratulations to all 13 Winners over the three day event, but also congratulations go to all 13 runners up – who, to make it to National Finals, have already beat off competition to become one of the top two teams in England, so win or lose, it has been a successful season for all teams involved.