A noisy travelling army of Trinity Catholic College pupils roared T6 Football Academy to victory in the English School Football Association Under-18 Super Cup final.
And two days later the team completed a double by winning the National Football Youth League Cup.
The first success came on Tuesday as Dave McTiernan and James Bridge’s talented team pulled off a convincing 4-1 win over Coombe Wood School at Stoke City’s stadium.
T6 struck early through Walker and cruised into a 2-0 lead with a Kennedy goal before Coombe Wood pulled one back. However, the Croydon team suffered a blow shortly before half-time when they had a player sent off for a reckless challenge.
Two more goals followed after the break, from Coppinger and Walker again, to earn T6 the most prestigious trophy in its glittering five-year history.
“It was a really special day and we’re so proud of the lads,”
said Mr McTiernan. “
They’ve worked all the way from the group stages to become national champions, and they fully deserve it.
“That early goal set the tone for the rest of the game and from then on, as long as we kept pushing forward, it felt like it was in our hands.”
Two-goal hero Walker added:
“It’s unbelievable, I’ve never felt anything like it. I was here last year with the county, but this was a completely different level.”
The competition brings together elite academies from all over the country and is the pinnacle of school football at this age group.
“The players and staff put a lot of hours in and it’s paid off, so we’re all delighted,”
said Mr McTiernan.
“We prepared properly, came down the night before the game, and everyone has played a massive part in getting us to where we are today.
“We had amazing backing in the stands from Trinity pupils and Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust have been behind us from the start and have really pushed the programme.
“We’re now the best in the country, which is an incredible thing to be able to say after five years. We’re an elite academy that has won a national competition against the very best.”
The biggest week in T6’s history continued on Thursday with a 3-1 win over Strachan Football Foundation in the National Youth Football League Cup final at The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion.
T6 were one down at half-time shortly after their goalkeeper Bailey had brilliantly saved a penalty, but the coaches made some tactical changes and it was a different story after the break. Coppinger equalised on 55 minutes before Walker sealed victory with goals on 70 and 80 minutes.
T6 Football Academy players come from as Peterlee to the north and Ripon, Northallerton and Harrogate, to the south, but the majority are from Teesside.
“They come in at 16 from junior clubs, not knowing where their careers are going, and we try to steer them in the right direction and give them memorable days like this.
“A lot of the lads are now on the cusp of hopefully going into professional football. Many of them are also involved in non-league at a high level.
“We’re trying to educate them as well, so they have options beyond football. Some will go on to further education, and many are looking at going to America. The programme offers a diverse pathway. They’ll all go into different things, but hopefully memories like this will live on.”
