THERE’S only one option when it comes to playing football at Great Sankey High School and that’s to win.
And team spirit is evident in abundance with the Year 8 football team who took the Sports Team of the Year title at the Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards 2024 - sponsored by Jackson Fire.
Highly commended in this category were Esme Heavy and Martyn Leech.
The talented group of 12 and 13-year-olds, who last year were in Year 7 and are now in Year 8, won the English Schools National Cup last season after beating teams from across the country.
There had never been a team from Warrington or Cheshire qualifying after the preliminary rounds and the cup had never been won by a team from the north west.
Champions!
The nomination for the young team said: “The team performed outstandingly well and won a truly amazing final.
“The boys represented themselves, their school and their home town of Warrington to the highest of standards in both attitude and ability.”
The boys’ dedication, skill and passion for the game propelled them to victory, making history as the first team from Warrington to claim a national title in football.
In an exhilarating match held at West Bromwich Albion's ground - The Hawthorns - the team came out victorious with a 2-1 win over Shenfield High School from Essex.
A spokesperson for the school said: “Their nomination is testament to their incredible achievement last year in winning the ESFA National Cup, marking them as the first ever team from Warrington to claim a national title in football.
“Their remarkable achievement marks a milestone not only for the team but also for the entire community.
“What an inspiring journey!
“Let's continue to celebrate their success and the indomitable spirit of our school community!”
Sports Team of the Year Great Sankey High School's Y7 Football Team - Andy McCann from GSHS, Leanne Campbell and Nigel Knowles, branch director from Jackson Fire and Security
Andy McCann, one of the team’s coaches, said: “We wanted these lads to inspire others in Warrington to play football and to encourage businesses, the council and the government to fund football grass roots pitches across the country.
“This team, along with many others in Warrington, haven’t been able to play football for months because the pitches are waterlogged.
“With so much focus on computer games, we just want them to able to play football.
“On behalf of the coaching staff, I couldn’t be prouder of these boys and their incredible achievement.
“Their hard work, resilience and team spirit have truly paid off and they deserve every bit of recognition they receive.”
Sports Team of the Year Great Sankey High School's Year 7 football team Andy McCann from GSHS
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