ESFA National Finals

Rep Team National Finals Postponed

The remaining 7 ESFA representative team National Finals are to be postponed until September

The ESFA has announced today that the remaining representative team finals (District & County competitions) will be postponed until September 2021. The ESFA has shared the following statement today:

“When the ESFA made the decision to offer these particular rep. team competitions, later than we would during the course of an ordinary season, it was with the understanding that national finals would be probably have to be hosted at non-league club stadia, due to the time of the year that the tournaments would conclude.   As many of you may know, practically all Premier League and Football League Clubs undertake extensive pitch renovation work once the season has finished, except for a small window when they allow external providers to use their facilities at their discretion.   That window has now passed and despite exhaustive efforts to obtain suitable venues, it has become apparent that this is now not possible.   Moreover, St George’s Park is currently hosting the England squad as part of their European Championship  campaign and Lilleshall National Sports Centre, which hosted the ESFA Inter-Schools’ Cup finals in October 2020, would be a difficult venue to effectively implement Covid control measures for spectators with it essentially being an public space.

The ESFA Emergency Committee met on Friday evening to discuss the situation and agreed to postpone hosting ESFA National Finals until after the school summer holidays, in September, when hopefully, we will be able to secure a more suitable venue for each of the remaining 7 Cup Finals.   This will allow us the opportunity to try and create the best possible experience for the children and associations involved.”

Those Associations still involved in these competitions will be contacted in due course by the National Competitions Department once plans are in place for the scheduling of these events.

ESFA National Finals

U14 Inter County Cup – Joint National Champions Crowned

Essex County Schools’ FA and Lancashire County Schools’ FA crowned National Champions in the 2019/20 U14 PlayStation F.C. Schools’ Cup inter County Cup competition.

The English Schools’ FA has declared Essex County Schools’ FA and Lancashire County Schools’ FA joint champions of the U14 PlayStation F.C. Schools’ Cup Inter County Cup for Season 2019-2020.

The decision has been taken after Covid-19 prematurely ended the season and it was established that it would not be feasible for these teams to participate in this year’s National Final match.

Darren Alcock, ESFA National Competitions Manager said “Players of both Essex and Lancashire Schools’ FA have worked incredibly hard to reach this English Schools’ FA Cup Final.   We are very pleased to have reached a resolution for this final which recognises the effort, skill and determination of those involved with both teams.   To be crowned a National Champion is an extremely prestigious honour, so we hope that the players, staff and communities will enjoy this accolade and we wish the players well in their future football endeavours.”  

Essex U14 Team Managers, Keith Thwaits, Dave Croker, Reece Powell & Dave Agass (MBE) said, “Sadly, after eight months of hope and a fantastic season,  following an announcement from the government regarding the advice that residents under tier 3 covid controls should not travel outside of their area,   it was agreed the Trophy would be shared with our opponents Lancashire. A fantastic season, spoilt by the Coronavirus Pandemic.  We have all really enjoyed taking this group of boys, who showed all the qualities required to be National Champions. We hope they have enjoyed and learnt from their experience whilst being involved in the County team. We wish them all the best in their future football careers.

Lancashire U14 Team Manager, Neil Black said “It has been a remarkable season especially when you consider the amount of games the players have played for their respective clubs. We gave an opportunity to 23 boys to represent their County and each and every one of them played their part in our success. We entered both the Northern Counties and the National County competition and the team were able to experience different styles of football that is not present with academy and grass roots clubs. Throughout the competition, the boys have epitomised what it is to play schoolboy football. They play football the correct way with a smile on their faces and they have enjoyed every fixture we have played. I would like to thank Mike Timberlake, Thomas Jones, Andy Buckingham and parents for their support and assistance throughout the season but most importantly I would to thank the players for their dedication and commitment to schoolboy football. It has been a great privilege to coach and manage the U14 boys’ team this year. They have demonstrated not only outstanding quality in possession of the ball but also great desire to win the ball back. This is clearly evident from the great team spirit which has been developed over the season. They truly deserve all the accolades they receive and I will look forward to seeing their development when the reach U16 level.