Another rising soccer star has rolled off the flourishing production line at Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary School in Redcar.
Talented midfielder Joey T follows in the footsteps of former Sacred Heart pupils and current Middlesbrough FC first teamers Hayden Hackney and George McCormick after being handed a full-time scholarship a year ahead of his peers.
Hayden, 22, has become a fixture in the Boro midfield and has also represented England U21s, while left-back George, 19, impressed during a series of friendly appearances in the summer and made his full debut in this season’s Carabao Cup.
Now Year 11 pupil Joey, who is also head boy and captain of the school’s successful football team, will join Boro’s famous Academy after sitting his GCSEs next summer.
Joey has been on Boro’s books since his days at St Joseph’s Primary School in Loftus and Sacred Heart head of PE Paul Freary says he is the perfect role model.
“Joey not only leads by example on the football pitch but also around the school and is someone many of the younger pupils look up to,” Mr Freary said.
Sacred Heart Secondary School head boy Joey T has been snapped up by the famous MFC Academy
Despite being only 15, Joey was shortlisted for England Schoolboys Under-17 squad for three UEFA U17 Euro qualifiers in Malta last month.
Headteacher Louise Dwyer said: “I am thrilled to have such a legacy of sporting talent here at Sacred Heart. Both Hayden and George have visited school recently and shared their success with our pupils.
“We are delighted that Joey is following in the footsteps of Hayden and George. Joey as head boy demonstrates his leadership skills on and off the pitch and is a true role model.”
Joey recently led Sacred Heart’s school team to their first ever T6 Schools’ Super Cup with a nail-biting final victory at Trinity Catholic College, Middlesbrough.
Five NPCAT secondary schools took part in a group format across the day, with the top two sides qualifying for the final.
After a 3-0 win against St Patrick’s Catholic College, Thornaby (goals from Joey, Sonny B and Reece C) and a 2-1 win over hosts Trinity (Joey and Austin H), Sacred Heart were beaten 2-0 by St Francis Xavier School, Richmond.
This defeat only served to spur the lads on for game three, a 3-0 victory over St Peter’s Catholic College, South Bank (Joey, Reece C (two)).
As group winners, Sacred Heart then faced a rematch against St Patrick’s in the final, who had been unbeaten after that first game reverse.
“A much more confident St Patrick’s played with passion and commitment and had some good chances before Joey scored a free kick from fully 35 yards to put Sacred Heart 1-0 up with three minutes to go,” said Mr Freary.
“However, the drama wasn’t finished there, and St Patrick’s levelled with the last kick of the game after a goalmouth scramble, to take the contest to penalties.”
Goalkeeper Angus T was the hero of the hour in the shootout that followed, saving two spot kicks to make Sacred Heart just the second winners of the T6 Super Cup.
Dave McTeirnan, head of NPCAT’s Football and Sporting Academy, said: “Sacred Heart worked tirelessly throughout the full day with the whole squad having a great togetherness, which showed in the final game.
“Our T6 Football Academy staff were very impressed with the talent on show and the sportsmanship from all the players and staff involved. Well done!”
Sacred Heart are hoping to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet after a 4-3 win over Macmillan Academy School in the Cleveland Schools County Cup, with Joey again on the scoresheet along with Austin H (two) and Sonny B.
They will travel to face Manor School, Hartlepool, in the quarter-final.
Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary School’s triumphant football team
