The ESFA is delighted to announce that their final fixture in the hummel Centenary Shield v Wales U18 Schoolboys will be hosted at Hednesford Town FC on Friday 28th April 2023. The England U18 Schoolboys’ squad will be traveling south to the RACE Stadium, for their final Centenary Shield fixture of the season.
The highly anticipated fixture against their Welsh counterparts, will kick off at 7pm and will be live-streamed via the Recast streaming service on the night.
The fixture will be the final opportunity in 2023 for the ESFA to showcase their squad on home-turf in the hummel Centenary Shield competition and will be the first time Hednesford Town has hosted an ESFA England Schoolboys’ event at their ground in Staffordshire.
The SAFIB Centenary shield, which was first contested in 1973, is a competitive international competition between under 18 schoolboy squads from across the home nations. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland all play each other in a round robin format and the team with the most points at the end of the tournament will lift the historic trophy. England last lifted the trophy back in 2017 and the 2023 squad will be going all out to try and replicate this victory.
This will the final time that the England team will walk out in their coveted England kit in 2023. This year’s Nike kit has been provided by official ESFA kit suppliers, Pro:Direct and features the Utilita logo across the front of shirt. With the energy company’s brand fast becoming synonymous with front of shirt sponsorship across all levels of football, the England boys will be proud to be associated with such fantastic sponsors of the ESFA’s international programme.
Tickets are priced at just £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for concessions and are available via Hednesford Town’s website here. Further details and announcements will follow in the coming weeks – to make sure you stay up to date with all the England Schoolboys’ action, follow @schoolsfootball across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The match will be streamed live via the Recast streaming service, for only £3 per fixture – allowing viewers to watch this exciting fixture with full commentary and replays from the comfort of their own home.
It couldn’t be easier to be a part of the live action this season – join Recast and start watching – head to the hummel Centenary Shield Channel, create an account and claim the 25 free Cast Credits.
ESFA Chair, Stuart Botham said, “I am delighted to be heading to Staffordshire, the base for the ESFA’s HQ, to watch this final England U18 Schoolboy fixture, this April. Hednesford Town have been incredibly supportive of hosting this fixture at the RACE Stadium and I am hoping hosting this fixture will create a buzz in and around the local area.
The ESFA’s international programme benefits from fantastic sponsorship from a number of big-name sponsors and their invaluable support allows us to create memorable opportunities for all of our England Schoolboys during their time representing their country for the ESFA. I hope they get the most from this fixture in Hednesford and look forward to welcoming football fans from near and far to join us for this momentous occasion”
Hednesford Town Chairmen, Graham Jones & Hayden Dando said, “We’re over the moon to bring international football to the RACE Stadium. We have worked very hard in the background to deliver such collaborations, and this will be a great way for all fans to sign out for the season. It’s a unique opportunity to watch the stars of tomorrow, and it’s great to enable such talent to come to Keys Park. It’s a honour and pleasure to welcome an England & Welsh Team alongside their governing bodies to the home of the Mighty Pitmen. See you all at the game”.
The ESFA is hoping to see a bumper crowd for home international matches in 2023, with a view to creating a fantastic and memorable atmosphere and experience for the young three lions.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.