Telford & Wrekin sweep rivals aside

The team are the pride of Shropshire and the Midlands after powering their way to a brilliant success in the English Schools Football Association regional finals.

The tournament took place at Sporting Khalsa’s Aspray Arena with the Telford & Wrekin youngsters emerging unbeaten with five wins and a draw – and no goals conceded.

That triumph has earned the girls, who are from primary schools across Telford and Wrekin, a place at the national finals at Liverpool. TWSCFA vice-chairman Richard Thorpe, who attended the regional finals, was full or praise for the girls and coaching staff.

He said: ‘‘We are extremely proud of the team and are very excited about taking the girls to the national finals at Liverpool FC Academy in June.

“We have a great group of coaches to work with the team from across Telford & Wrekin primary schools with head coach Lee James, from Grange Park Primary, and goalkeeper coach Damien Stevens, from Sir Alexander Fleming Primary.”

Head coach Lee James was pleased to see the girls make it three final appearances in a row for Telford & Wrekin.

“We are delighted that the girls have matched the success of our teams from the last two seasons,” said James.

“For Telford & Wrekin to reach the Under-11 ESFA national finals for three years in a row is a massive achievement for our town.

“The girls were an absolute pleasure to coach in the build up to this tournament and they fully deserved to win the regional finals.

“Credit must go to the grassroots, school and academy football provided in Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire. Every year the standard of football in Telford & Wrekin is improving and this was evident at the finals.’’

Girls from Telford and Wrekin are National finalists following an unbeaten tournament at The Aspray Arena.

Selected U11 girls from the Telford and Wrekin area will compete in the English Schools Football Association National Finals at Liverpool’s Academy in June.

After winning five games and drawing one at the regional finals without conceding a single goal, TWSCFA (Telford & Wrekin Schools and Colleges Football Association) seemed to surprise parents and coaches as they qualified with ease to the Nationals.

TWSCFA Vice Chairman Richard Thorpe said: “We are extremely proud of the team and are very excited about taking the girls to the National finals at Liverpool FC Academy in June.

“We have a great group of coaches to work with the team from across Telford & Wrekin Primary Schools with Head Coach Lee James from Grange Park Primary School and Goalkeeper Coach Damien Stevens from Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School.”

Head Coach Lee James added: “We are delighted that the girls have matched the success of our teams from the last two seasons, for Telford & Wrekin to reach the U11 ESFA National Finals for 3 years in a row is a massive achievement for our town.’’