LSFA Report 2018-19
A copy of this report can be downloaded as a word document;
LSFA REPORT 2018-19.doc
The Report of the Lancashire Schools’ Football Association 2018-2019
Presented by Mike Timberlake, Secretary, Lancashire Schools’ Football Association at the Annual General Meeting, Monday 24 June 2019 in the President’s Suite at Lancashire Football Association.
Lancashire Schools’ F.A. Council Meetings:
During Season 2018-2019, the LSFA Council met on two occasions at the Lancashire Football Association, the County Ground, Leyland, as follows:
Mon. 17.09.18.
Mon. 18.03.19.
Attendance at meetings was as follows:
LSFA Officers:
Chairman, Mike Nadal: 2
Vice-Chairman, Roy Blacktop: 1
Secretary / Competition Secretary, Mike Timberlake: 2
Treasurer, Andy Buckingham: 2
Senior Advisor, Mike Duffy: 1
Child Welfare Officer, Neil Yates: 0
District Council Members:
Blackburn and Darwen, Andy Buckingham: 2
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, Ben Lavelle: 0
Burnley, Marshall Holding: 1
Chorley, Andrew Ackroyd: 0
Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, Andy Kelly: 1
Lancaster and Morecambe, Dean Threlfalll: 0
Pendle, Mike Timberlake: 2
Preston, Paul Whelan: 0
Rossendale, Nick Mooney: 0
South Ribble, Andy Clitheroe: 2
West Lancashire, Nick Ford: 0
Co-opted Members of the Council:
Neil Black, Team Manager, Under 14 Boys: 0
Nick Birchall, L.F.A. Development Officer for Education: 2
Jack Gardner, LFA Development Officer for Schools: 2
Peter Seed, Chairman of LSFA Girls: 0
Phil Eastwood, Team Manager, Under 16 Girls: 1
Mike Whitworth, Team Manager, Under 14 Girls: 0
The LSFA Council was represented at the following meetings during the season:
ESFA AGM: Mike Timberlake NCSFA AGM: Mike Timberlake
The County Competitions: number of entries.
Primary Schools League 10 associations
Luther Mercer Primary Cup 8 associations
ESFA District Qualifier 9 associations
ESFA Primary Schools’ Qualifier 18 schools
ESFA Primary Schools Girls’ Qualifier 18 schools
ESFA Primary Small Schools’ Qualifier 11 schools
Under 15 District teams 3 associations
Under 14 District Teams 6 associations
Under 13 District Teams 6 associations
Under 12 District Teams 4 associations
Under 12 County Cup 56 schools
Under 13 County Cup 46 schools
Under 14 County Cup 48 schools
Under 15 Boys’ County Cup 49 schools
Under 16 Boys’ County Cup 48 schools
Under 19 Boys’ County Cup for Schools 14 schools
Under 12 Girls’ County Cup 28 schools
Under 14 Girls’ County Cup 34 schools
Under 16 Girls’ County Cup 23 schools
LSFA Winners of County Cup Competitions 2018-2019
Under 12 Girls’ 5-a-side Indoor Competition
Winners: St.Augustine’s R.C. High School, Billington
Under 12 Girls’ Open Cup (7 a side) held at St.Bede’s High School, Blackburn
Friday 17 May 2019. Officials: St.Bede’s Boys.
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall
Under 14 Girls’ Open Cup held at the County Ground, Leyland
Sunday 19 May 2019. Officials: Tony Parr, Lucy Briggs, Rebecca Beresford
Presentation: Mike Nadal, MikeTimberlake
Winners: St.Augustine’s R.C. High School, Billington
Under 16s Girls’ Open Cup held at the County Ground, Leyland
Sunday 19 May 2019. Officials: Lucy Briggs, Tony Parr, Mike Nadal
Presentation: Mike Nadal, Mike Timberlake
Winners: Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall
Under 12 Boys’ 5-a-side Indoor Competition held at the Blackburn Soccerdome
Thursday 31 January 2019. Officials: P.E. Staff
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: St.Augustine’s. R.C. High School, Billington
Under 12 County Cup (7 a side) held at St Bede’s High School, Blackburn
Monday 20 May 2019. Officials: St.Bede’s Boys.
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Morecambe High School
Under 13 County Cup (The Kay Cup) held at the County Ground, Leyland
Thursday 16 May 2019. Officials: Dan Sanderson, Bill Carr, Martin Winters
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: St.Christopher’s High School, Accrington
Under 14 County Cup (The Jim Tolson Cup) held at the County Ground, Leyland
Wednesday 15 May 2019. Officials: Scott Marsh, Norman Edmondson, Andrew Woodhouse
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Hodgson High School, Blackpool
Under 15 County Cup (The Jim Hayhurst Shield) held at the County Ground, Leyland
Tuesday 14 May 2019. Officials: Phil Rigby, Norman Edmondson, Scott Marsh
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Bishop Rawstorne High School, Croston
Under 16 Boys’ County Cup (The Daily Dispatch Shield) held at the County Ground, Leyland
Monday 13 May 2019. Officials: Bill Carr, Norman Edmondson, Courtney Hughes
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: St.Bede’s High School, Blackburn
Under 19 Boys’ County Cup (LSFA Shield) held at Lancaster City Football Club
Wednesday 03 April 2019. Officials: Paul Kettlewell, James Atkinson, Joe Kirkley
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Ormskirk School
LSFA Winners of District Competitions 2018-2019
Under 15 Boys’ Lancashire League Winners (The Timberlake Trophy):
West Lancashire SFA
Under 14 Boys’ Wrennall Cup League Winners (The Dick Clegg Shield):
Winners: Preston SFA
Under 15 District Teams’ (the Lancashire Cup) held at the County Ground, Leyland
Saturday 18 May 2019. Officials: Dave Hesketh, Ewan Atkinson, Andrew Woodhouse
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Preston SFA
Under 14 District Teams (the Wrennall Cup) held at the County Ground, Leyland
Saturday 18 May 2019. Officials: Nigel Usher, Dan Sanderson, Courtney Hughes
Presentation: Mike Timberlake, Graham Atkinson, Owen Watkinson
Winners: Preston SFA
Under 13 District Teams held at the County Ground, Leyland
Saturday 18 May 2019. Officials: Dan Sanderson, Nigel Usher, Courtney Hughes
Presentation: Mike Timberlake, Graham Atkinson, Owen Watkinson
Winners: Lancaster and Morecambe SFA
Under 12 District Teams held at the County Ground, Leyland
Sunday 12 May 2019. Officials: Dan Whitehead, Joe Kirkley, Ben Schofield
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Preston SFA
LSFA Winners of Primary School Competitions 2018-2019
Under 11 Primary Inter-District League Champions:
Morecambe Primary SFA
Under 11 Primary Inter-District Cup (The Luther Mercer Shield) held at the County Ground, Leyland
Sunday 12 May 2019. Officials: Ben Schofield, Joe Kirkley, Dan Whitehead
Presentation: Mike Timberlake
Winners: Hyndburn and Ribble Valley SFA
ESFA Danone Nations Cup U11 Inter-Association Trophy for District Teams
Lancashire Qualifying Competition held at the JMO, Skelmersdale
Saturday 08 December 2018
Presentation: Paul Whelan
Winners: Blackburn and Darwen SFA
ESFA Danone Nations Cup U11 Schools’ Cup for School Teams
Lancashire Qualifying Competition held at Poolfoot Farm, Fleetwood
Friday 25 January 2019.
Presentation: Lee Cadwallader, Mike Timberlake
Winners: Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School
ESFA Danone Nations Cup U11 Schools’ Cup for Girls
Lancashire Qualifying Competition held at Poolfoot Farm, Fleetwood
Friday 25 January 2019
Presentation: Lee Cadwallader, Mike Timberlake
Winners: St.Mary’s, Langho
ESFA Danone Nations Cup U11 Schools’ Cup for Small Schools
Lancashire Qualifying Competition held at Poolfoot Farm, Fleetwood
Tuesday 12 February 2019
Presentation: Lee Cadwallader, Mike Timberlake
Winners: Weeton Primary School
Results of the Lancashire Schools’ Football Association Finals
Under 12 Girls’ Finals’ Day:
Hodgson 4-0 Broughton, St.Augustine’s 1-2 Alder Grange
Hodgson 5-0 St.Augustine’s, Broughton 0-2 Alder Grange
Hodgson 1-2 Alder Grange, St.Augustine’s 2-1 Broughton
Under 14 Girls’ County Cup Final:
Broughton 0-5 St.Augustine’s
Under 16 Girls’ County Cup Final:
Archbishop Temple 5-7 Alder Grange
Under 12 County Cup Finals’ Day:
Morecambe 2-1 Haslingden, Archbishop Temple 1-2 St.Mary’s
Morecambe 3-0 Archbishop Temple, Haslingden 0-2 St.Mary’s
Morecambe 3-0 St.Mary’s, Haslingden 0-2 Archbishop Temple
Under 13 County Cup Final:
Holy Cross 1-3 St.Christopher’s
Under 14 County Cup Final:
Balshaws 0-4 Hodgson
Under 15 County Cup Final:
Bishop Rawstorne 2-1 Ribblesdale
Under 16 Boys’ County Cup Final:
Moorland 3-4 St.Bede’s, Blackburn
Under 19 Boys’ County Cup Final:
Lancaster Royal Grammar School 1-3 Ormskirk
Lancashire Cup Final (Under 15 District Teams):
Preston 3-2 (AET) West Lancashire
Wrennall Cup Final (Under 14 District Teams):
Preston 2-0 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Under 13 District Teams Final:
Preston 1-1-Lancaster and Morecambe (Lancaster and Morecambe won on penalties)
Under 12 District Teams Finals’ Day:
Pendle 0-2 Preston
Pendle 0-3 South Ribble
Preston 1-0 South Ribble
Under 11 District Teams (Luther Mercer Shield) Final:
Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 2-0 Preston
Lancashire Schools’ F.A. County Representative Teams
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 14 Boys’ Representative Squad
The following boys represented the county during season 2018-2019:
- Kian Best Preston
- Sam Burton Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Rory Cormack Pendle
- Rio Cragg Preston
- Finlay Cross-Adair South Ribble
- Owen Devonport Burnley
- Josh Feeney Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Ethan Hacker Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Alex Henderson Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Layton Kirnon Preston
- Connor McCauley Blackburn with Darwen
- Cian McPartlan Blackburn with Darwen
- Harry Middlehurst West Lancashire
- Kitt Nelson Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- George Pedley Lancaster and Morecambe
- Owen Potts South Ribble
- Jack Rourke Preston
- Kobe Sinclair Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Kian Taylor Preston
- Finlay Wallbank Preston
Under 14 Boys’ Competition Results: P W D L F A
5 2 0 3 7 14
Friendly Matches:
v Bolton Wanderers F.C. at Bolton Wanderers F.C. Academy won 5-2
v Preston North End F.C. at Preston Sports’ Arena lost 1-9
v Fleetwood Town F.C. at Poolfoot Farm won 4-1
ESFA National Trophy:
R2 v Cleveland at Billingham Town F.C. won 3-2
QF v Merseyside at Heron Eccles lost 0-3
NCSFA Championship
League Matches:
v Cleveland at Billingham Town F.C. won 3-2
v Greater Manchester at the JMO, Skelmersdale lost 1-5
v Merseyside at the JMO, Skelmersdale lost 0-2
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 16 Boys’ Representative Squad
The following boys represented the county during season 2018-2019:
- Johnathon Borwick Preston
- Oliver Burgess Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Tom Claxton Burnley
- Lewis Coulton South Ribble
- Jack Doherty Burnley
- Danny Edwards Pendle
- Richard Eyes South Ribble
- Cian Hayes Preston
- Jacob Holland-Wilkinson Rossendale
- Harry Huddart South Ribble
- Aidan Johnson West Lancashire
- Joel Lloyd South Ribble
- Oliver Lombard South Ribble
- Jak McKinley Burnley
- Declan Preyzner Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Curtis Poole Blackburn with Darwen
- Akiel Raffie Chorley
- Joe Rodwell-Grant South Ribble
- Ben Smith Preston
- Dan Smith Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Luke Stowe Burnley
Under 16 Boys’ Competition Results P W D L F A 7 4 0 3 18 12
Friendly Matches:
v Fulwood Amateurs F.C. at Fulwood Amateurs F.C. won 3-2
v Blackpool F.C. at Myerscough College won 5-1
v Preston North End F.C. at Preston Sports’ Arena lost 0-3
ESFA National Trophy:
R1 v West Midlands at Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. won 4-0
R2 v Greater Manchester at the Vestacare Stadium won 4-0
QF v Merseyside at the County Ground, Leyland lost 0-3
NCSFA Championship
League Matches:
v West Yorkshire at the JMO, Skelmersdale won 4-1
v Merseyside at the JMO, Skelmersdale lost 1-3
v Cheshire at the JMO, Skelmserdale won 4-2
v Greater Manchester at Stalybridge Celtic F.C. lost 1-3
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 18 Boys’ Representative Squad
The following boys represented the county during season 2018-2019:
- Sid Batty Myerscough College
- Joshua Bould PDA Lancashire
- Jack Byrne AFC Fylde
- Jack Camarda Myersough College
- Kayden Craven Myerscough College
- Dejay Delacruz PDA Lancashire
- Nathan Feeney Myerscough College
- Cameron Gourley PDA Lancashire
- Matthew Griffith PDA Lancashire
10. Michael Jeory PDA Lancashire
11. Cian Menzies Myerscough College
12. Jordan Salthouse PDA Lancashire
13. Isaac Sinclair PDA Lancashire
14. Harry Smith Preston’s College
15. George Thomason PDA Lancashire
16. Ben Turton PDA Lancashire
17. Ellis Wallbank Cardinal Newman College
18. Jack Webster PDA Lancashire
19. Dean William-Davies Lancaster and Morecambe College
Under 18 Boys’ Competition Result P W D L F A
6 4 0 2 13 9
Friendly Matches
v ProDirect at Wren Rovers F.C. lost 2-3
ESFA National Trophy
R2 v Shropshire at Thomas Telford School won 3-2
QF v South Yorkshire at Poolfoot Farm won 2-0
SF v Northumberland at Poolfoot Farm won 3-1
Final v Sussex at Stoke City F.C. won 2-1
NCSFA Championship
League Matches:
v Humberside at the JMO,Skelmersdale lost 1-2
v Merseyside at the JMO, Skelmersdale lost 2-3
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 16 Girls’ Representative Squad
The following girls represented the county during season 2018-2019:
- Alyssa Aherne Pendle
- Rebecca Beresford Rossendale
- Olivia Black South Ribble
- Chloe Broughton Rossendale
- Annabel Collins Lancaster and Morecambe
- Jessica Eastwood South Ribble
- Ellie Etheridge Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Tiggi Gent Burnley
- Jessica Hodge West Lancashire
- Aimee Hodgson Lancaster and Morecambe
- Tahnee Lucas Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Imogen Maguire Chorley
- Daisy Mason Preston
- Grace Mills Rossendale
- Cara Milne-Redhead Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Menna Shirrass Preston
- Emily Slater Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Lauren Tunstall Preston
- Lauryn Wood Preston
- Kaitlin Woodhead Chorley
Under 16 Girls’ Competition Results: P W D L F A
9 7 1 1 34 11
ESFA National Trophy
R1 v Cleveland at Northfield School, Billingham won 6-2
R2 v Cheshire at Poolfoot Farm, Fleetwood won 8-2
QF v Durham at Longfield Academy won 2-0
SF v Greater Manchester at the Vestacare Stadium won 6-0
Final v Kent at Stoke City F.C. won 4-1 on penalties after 0-0 draw
NCSFA Championship
League Matches:
v Cheshire at Winsford United F.C. drew 2-2
v Greater Manchester at Bamber Bridge F.C. won 2-1
Play-off for First/Second Place:
V Cheshire at the JMO, Skelmersdale won 5-0
Semi-Final:
v Durham at Barnoldswick Town F.C. lost 3-4
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 14 Girls’ Representative Squad
The following girls represented the county during season 2018-2019:
- Jazmin Attwood South Ribble
- Sarah Jane Bolton Preston
- Charlie Chadwick Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Bethany Edwards Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Ruby Farrell Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Natasha Hart Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Amaris Ince Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Scarlett McMahon Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Ruby Murphy Blackburn with Darwen
- Lou Lou Newton Burnley
- Grace Pilling South Ribble
- Charlotte Quinn Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Emma Siddall Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Jessica Simpson Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Katie Smith South Ribble
- Ellie Spencer Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Bethany Strutton Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
- Ella Whitaker Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Olivia Wilding Preston
- Megan Wilson Chorley
- Sophia Woods Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Under 14 Girls’ Competition Results: P W D L F A
8 7 0 1 42 5
ESFA National Trophy
R1 v Durham at Longfield Academy, Darlington won 2-0
R2 v Northumberland at Poolfoot Farm, Fleetwood won 8-0
QF v Greater Manchetser at Atherton F.C. won 2-0
SF v West Midlands at Poolfoot Farm won 5-1
Final v Essex at Stoke City F.C. lost 3-4 on penalties after 3-3 draw
NCSFA Championship
League Matches:
v Greater Manchester at the Vestacare Stadium won 6-0
v Cheshire at Vauxhall Motors F.C. won 13-1
Final:
v Northumberland at the County Ground, Leyland won 3-0
Report on Season 2018-2019:
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association continues to be one of the most successful counties for schools’ football in England.
The major achievements of our County Teams during the season were as follows:
Under 14 Boys: ESFA Quarter-Finalists
Under 16 Boys: ESFA Quarter-Finalists
Under 18 Boys: ESFA Winners
Under 14 Girls: ESFA Finalists, NCSFA Winners
Under 16 Girls: ESFA Winners, NCSFA Semi-Finalists
The combined results in competitive matches of our five county teams reveal the following statistics:
Played: 35
Won: 24
Drawn: 1
Lost: 10
Goals For: 114
Goals Against: 51
Win rate: 69%
The combined results in competitive matches of our two girls’ county teams are even more remarkable:
Played: 17
Won: 14
Drawn: 1
Lost: 2
Goals For: 76
Goals Against: 16
Win rate: 82%
Congratulations to all the County Players who represented Lancashire Schools’ Football Association during the season and congratulations also to the members of all our Management Teams without whom the above results would not be possible. We continue to be fortunate to have Management Teams of the highest calibre in Lancashire and the success of county football is due to the expertise, knowledge and guidance of the Management Teams combined with the ability of the players selected.
The members of our Management Teams are as follows:
Under 14 Boys: Neil Black, Peter Aylmer, Andy Buckingham
Under 16 Boys: Andy Clitheroe, Stewart Clitheroe, Gareth Gray
Under 18 Boys: Andy Buckingham, Trevor Sinclair, Ray Booth, Gareth Gray
Under 14 Girls: Mike Whitworth, Darren Sturrock
Under 16 Girls: Phil Eastwood, Nicola Barker, Mark Reeve
Lancashire Under 14 Schoolgirls
Lancashire Under 14 Girls reached the Final of the English Schools’ Football Association Inter-County Trophy for the EIGHTH successive year and have now been in every ESFA Final since the Competition began in 2011-2012. The girls also won the Northern Counties Under 14 Girls’ Championship, which began in 2017-2018, for the second successive year.
Lancashire Under 14 Girls have therefore competed in EVERY ESFA and NCSFA Final since the inauguration of the two competitions, an incredible achievement!
Following the trials, the Management Team of Mike Whitworth and Darren Sturrock were able to select the squad of girls destined to win every game they played during the season with the exception of the final game of the season, the National ESFA Trophy Final, which they unfortunately lost on penalties!
In the ESFA Trophy the girls displayed their great skill, team play and endeavour to reach the ESFA National Final. Following a hard fought and narrow victory in Round One away to Durham, the girls demolished Northumberland Girls at home in Round Two. The girls were rewarded after another close game away to a stubborn Greater Manchester team with a home semi-final against West Midlands girls who arrived with a great reputation at Poolfoot Farm. However, the Lancashire Girls totally outclassed their opponents with probably their best display of the season to reach the national final.
In the ESFA Trophy Final at Bet 365 Stadium, the home of Stoke City F.C., the Lancashire Girls faced a stiff challenge from a very good Essex team who tested the Lancashire girls more than any other team during the season with the Lancashire Girls conceding three goals in one match having conceded only two goals during the rest of the season!! After Lancashire had taken an early lead through Megan Wilson from the penalty spot, the Lancashire Girls suddenly found themselves 1-2 down but immediately fought back through Emma Siddall to go in level at half-time. Essex regained the lead shortly after half-time only for Lancashire to fight back again with another equaliser from Lou Lou Newton.
With neither team adding to their tally and with no extra-time played, Lancashire finally had to admit defeat from the penalty spot in their final game of the season.
In the Northern Counties’ Championship Lancashire demolished Greater Manchester and Cheshire in the league matches before comfortably defeating Northumberland Schooolgirls in the NCSFA Final at the County Ground, Leyland with another fine display of football.
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the girls for representing the county during the past season and we look forward to watching them display their skills either at Under 14 or Under 16 level next season.
Lancashire Under 16 Schoolgirls
Following the trials, the Management Team of Phil Eastwood, Nicola Barker and Mark Reeve were able to select a strong squad of girls with some girls having played for the county during the previous season at either Under 16 or Under 14 level.
In the Northern Counties’ Championship the Lancashire girls were made to work harder for the win against Greater Manchester and faced stiff opposition in the draw against Cheshire on a cold and wet night at Winsford United F.C. The Lancashire girls were then able to show their class by comfortably beating Cheshire in the play-off match for first and second place in the league to gain home advantage in the semi-final.
However, in the NCSFA semi-final Lancashire were without their midfield star Emily Slater and their centre-back and captain Chloe Broughton when uncharacteristically conceding four goals to a fast and direct Durham team. Despite fighting back bravely on three occasions the Lancashire girls crashed out of the NCSFA Championship with Durham scoring the winner following a fast break and a well-taken goal late in the game.
In the English Schools’ F.A. Trophy the Lancashire Girls recorded relatively comfortable victories away to Cleveland and at home to Cheshire before beating Durham away in a hard-fought quarter-final match. The Lancashire Girls then demolished Greater Manchester away in the semi-final to reach the national final for the FIFTH time in the last EIGHT years.
In the ESFA Trophy Final at the Bet 365 Stadium, the home of Stoke City F.C., the Lancashire Girls were back at their defensive best against a strong Kent team but were unable to breach the Kent defence with the game ending in a goalless draw. With no extra time, the Lancashire girls kept their nerve to win the final and national title 4-1 on penalties.
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the girls for entertaining us throughout the season with their superb footballing skills. We look forward to watching some of the girls play for Lancashire next season and wish the girls who are leaving school every success in their future lives and careers. We hope that they continue to play football at the highest possible level.
International Honours
ESFA Under 15 International Schoolgirls 2018-2019.
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to congratulate Tigi Gent and Jessica Simpson on their selection to represent England Under 15 Schoolgirls during Season 2018-2019, a great honour for the girls themselves, their families, their schools and their county.
Keira Walsh
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to congratulate former Lancashire Schoolgirl Keira Walsh, who now plays as a professional footballer for Manchester City F.C., on her selection for the England Women’s World Cup Squad. Keira will wear the Number 4 Shirt in the squad and we wish her and the England team every success in the competition in France. At the time of writing England, with Keira playing for the full 90+ minutes, have just eventually beaten Cameroon to reach the quarter-final of the competition.
Lancashire Under 14 Schoolboys
Lancashire Schools’ F.A. fielded an Under 14 Boys’ County Team for the fifth time. Following the coaching course and county trials, the Management Team of Neil Black and Andy Buckingham were able to select a strong squad with plenty of promise for the forthcoming season.
After friendly matches against teams from Bolton Wanderers F.C., Preston North End F.C. and Fleetwood Town F.C., the Lancashire Boys travelled to Billingham Town F.C. to face Cleveland Schoolboys in Round 2 of the ESFA Trophy, having received a bye in the first round. In a hard-fought game the Lancashire Boys, despite being a goal down at half-time, fought back well with two tremendous free-kick goals from full-backs Kian Taylor and Owen Potts and a late penalty, generously awarded by the assistant referee, from Owen Devonport to record a narrow victory.
In the ESFA Quarter-Final Lancashire faced a difficult trip away to Merseyside Boys who had won the competition on four occasions since its inauguration in 2011. The Lancashire Boys competed well in a hard-fought game and went in at half-time with the scores level. Merseyside managed to score the first goal of the match, which was always going to be decisive, shortly after half-time and they added two further goals towards the end of the game to go thorough to the semi-final. Merseyside went on to win the competition for the fifth time by beating Kent on penalties in the final following a 2-2 draw.
Having crashed out of the ESFA Trophy the Lancashire boys again faced Merseyside in the NCSFA Competition, losing narrowly in another hard-fought game in which Merseyside converted two chances with Lancashire missing several opportunities to score. A second defeat to a strong Greater Manchester team completed the games for the Lancashire Boys with the game against South Yorkshire not being played. Greater Manchester went on to beat Cleveland 7-1 in the NCSFA Championship Final.
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the boys for representing the county during the past season and we look forward to meeting them again during the next two seasons.
Lancashire Under 16 Schoolboys
Following the early July trial and friendly matches against Fulwood Amateurs F.C., Blackpool F.C. and Preston North End F.C., the Management Team of Andy Clitheroe and Stewart Clitheroe were able to select a strong squad for the coming season.
In the English Schools’ F.A. Trophy, the Lancashire boys recorded a tremendous 4-0 victory in Round 1 away to West Midlands with an equally impressive 4-0 victory away to a strong Greater Manchester team in Round 2, with all four goals scored by Joe Rodwell-Grant. Unfortunately for Lancashire, Joe, because of injury, was unable to play in the quarter-final tie at the County Ground, Leyland against a strong Merseyside team. Lancashire failed to take their chances in the first half and fell behind after 10 minutes of the second half in a game where the first goal was always going to be decisive. Despite the Lancashire Boys fighting hard to equalise, Merseyside added two late goals to reach the semi-final and final of the competition where they eventually lost to Sussex.
In the Northern Counties’ Competition the Lancashire Boys recorded comfortable victories at home to West Yorkshire and Cheshire but narrowly lost at home to Merseyside, in a game which Lancashire could have won despite being reduced to ten men, and also succumbed to Greater Manchester at Stalybridge Celtic F.C., leaving Lancashire in third place in the group and unable to qualify for the semi-finals. Merseyside went on to defeat Durham in the NCSFA Final.
On the whole, this was a disappointing season for the Lancashire Boys after a very promising start with two 4-0 victories over West Midlands and Greater Manchester in the ESFA Trophy. Bad luck, injuries, the unavailability of players and the lack of co-operation from clubs together with other unforeseen events all combined to the lack of success at the end of the season.
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the boys for representing the county during the past season and wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their careers.
Lancashire Under 18 Schoolboys
Following the trial and a friendly match against the Pro Direct Academy, the Management Team of Andy Buckingham, Trevor Sinclair and Ray Booth were able to select a strong squad hoping to build on the success of the previous season in which the Lancashire Boys had reached both the semi-final of the ESFA Trophy and the NCSFA Championship.
In the ESFA Trophy the Lancashire Boys, having received a bye in Round 1, recorded a hard-fought victory over Shropshire at Thomas Telford School in Round 2. A great performance by the Lancashire Boys in the quarter-final at home to South Yorkshire at Poolfoot Farm, despite a fantastic display of goalkeeping by the South Yorkshire goalkeeper, saw Lancashire through to the semi-final with great goals from Isaac Sinclair and Dean (Dixie) William-Davies. In the semi-final at the same venue Lancashire faced Northumberland in atrocious conditions caused by a strong wind and driving rain. Playing against the strong wind in the first half, Lancashire took the lead in the third minute with an opportunistic goal from Dean William-Davies. Northunberland equalised with a pile-driver before half-time but with the strong wind at their backs in the second half, Lancashire added further goals from Cian Menzies and Isaac Sinclair to reach the ESFA Final for the first time since 2011 when they defeated Hertfordshire at Hillsborough. The final itself was a closely fought game which either team could have won. With the scores level at half-time despite Lancashire taking the lead with another goal from Dean William-Davies, Lancashire eventually managed to win the game with a late goal from BenTurton but only following an incredible miss by a Sussex player when he headed the ball over the bar when standing virtually on the goal-line!
In the Northern Counties’ Championship Lancashire managed to lose both their group matches, both by a single goal, to Humberside and to Merseyside, games which the Lancashire Boys could easily have won with greater concentration and application.
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the boys who played for the team during the season. Some of the boys will be available to play again next season and we wish the boys who are leaving their school or college every success in their future lives and careers.
International Honour.
ESFA Under 18 Schoolboys 2018-2019
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to congratulate Isaac Sinclair on his selection to represent England Under 18 Schoolboys during Season 2018-2019, a great honour for Isaac himself, his family, his academy and his county.
The LSFA County Cup Finals and District Finals
Six County Cup Finals and all five District Finals were played in May at the County Ground, the home of the Lancashire Football Association at Leyland. The Under 19 County Cup Final was played at the Giant Axe, the home of Lancaster City FC in April. The Under 12 seven a side Finals (boys and girls) were again played at St.Bede’s High School Blackburn and the Under 12 five a side boys’finals were played at the Blackburn Power League. The Under 11 District Finals were played at the JMO, Skelmersdale with the other three Under 11 Finals played at Poolfoot Farm, the training ground of Fleetwood Town FC.
The Highlights of Season 2018-2019
- The achievements of our Under 18 Boys’ Team and Under 16 Girls’ Team who both won their National ESFA Inter-County at Bet 365 Stadium, the home of Stoke City F.C. on the same day in May 2019.
- The EIGHTH consecutive ESFA Trophy Final appearance by our Under 14 Girls, also at the Bet 365 Stadium, the home of Stoke City F.C.
- The FIFTH appearance in the ESFA Trophy Final by our Under 16 Girls and their third victory in the last five years.
- The excellent victory by our Under 14 Girls against Northumberland to win the second annual NCSFA Under 14 Girls’ Championship.
- The great commitment and expertise of our five county Management Teams, already highlighted in the report.
- The chance for two of our county teams to play at the LFA County Ground, Leyland
- Continued good liaison with most of our professional clubs.
- The tremendous work of the Lancashire Under 16 Boys’ Team Manager Andy Clitheroe in organising the Under 16 Trial Days held at Fulwood Amateurs F.C. in July.
- The tremendous work of the Lancashire Under 14 Boys’ Team Manage Neil Black as Course Director of our Coaching Courses for the Under 14 Boys held at QEGS in August and the Under 14 County Trials held at QEGS in September.
10. The tremendous work of the Lancashire Girls’ Under 16 and Under 14 Team Managers, Phil Eastwood and Mike Whitworth, for the organistaion of the county trials and selection procedure for the Under 16 and Under 14 Girls’ Teams.
11. Continued high levels of entry for our county cup competitions.
12. The highly successful County Cup and District Team Final held in May at the LFA County Ground, Leyland.
13. The excellent organisation by Lee Cadwallader and Dave Rohman of the ESFA Under 11 Danone Cup Competitions for Primary Schools, Girls’ Teams and Small Schools held at Poolfoot Farm in January and February.
14. The excellent participation by TEN Under 11 District Teams in the Primary League with the completion (at the time of writing) of 35 out of 45 games.
15. The improved participation by districts in the Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14 District Team Competitions with the completion of 21 out of 26 games.
The Disappointments of Season 2018-2019
- The low number of entries for the Lancashire Cup. From our eleven districts, only three took part in the Under 15 Lancashire Cup and only ONE league game was played.
- The lack of progress in some competitions with some schools apparently unable to arrange their fixtures or keep to the deadline dates and the suspicion that not all schools are complying with the Competition Rules.
- The lack of co-operation of one or two of our professional clubs.
- The surprise and amazement of the award by ESFA of £2,500 (£500 more than the annual grant awarded to Lancashire Schools’ F.A.!!) to Skelmersdale Primary SFA for the alleged future organisation of primary schools’ football in Lancashire, which is already organised extremely well by the Lancashire Schools’ Football Association and colleagues including SGOs throughout Lancashire.
- The lack of co-operation by the Lancashire Football Association concerning a proven mistaken allegation against one of our county team managers by a match official.