The Diocese of Middlesbrough Catholic Primary Schools Cup

Twelfth Annual Football Tournament

A total of 83 teams (50 boys and 33 girls) from 34 schools participated in the twelfth annual Catholic Primary Schools Cup Football Tournament held at the splendid joint sites of Sacred Heart Comprehensive and St Benedict’s Primary Schools, Mersey Road, Redcar, in glorious sunshine on Saturday 10th May.

Participating schools came from as far and wide as Scarborough, Hull, York, Thirsk, Pocklington, Market Weighton as well as a host of schools from the immediate Teesside area. Previously the Tournament has been held in Marske (97 and 98), York (2000 and 01) and Hull (1999, 02 and 07), Middlesbrough 2003, Loftus 2004, Scarborough 2005 and Thirsk 2006.

Separate boys and girls competitions were run concurrently with games of six a side playing in groups initially, on 12 specially marked pitches, with successful teams progressing to the knock out stages. At the end of the group stages, 12 lucky children chosen at random from around the Diocese were awarded spot prizes. In addition, Fair Play Trophies (sponsored by the Knights of St Columba, Council 29, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough) were awarded to St George’s, York ‘B’ team (boys) and St Georges, Scarborough (girls). The Bishop O’Brien Best Banner Award was presented to St Mary’s, Grangetown, and the Most Original Pennant Award sponsored by the Catenian Association was won by St Augustine’s, Middlesbrough. Commemorative team photographs were taken of all the teams in the competition and copies have been sent to the school with our compliments.

Twenty four referees from the Teesside area, including a number of young referees recruited by Redcar and Cleveland School Sports Co-ordinator, Lesley Shepherd, officiated at all the matches, doing so with firmness, sensitivity, common sense and good humour. The Dining Room staff at Sacred Heart did a wonderful job in catering for the 1500+ people in attendance.

The group games proceed well and by the start of the afternoon the top two teams in each of the eight groups in the boys and girls competitions were decided. The knock out process then commenced, with 16 teams in each competition hoping to progress further. Hard fought and low scoring matches saw each competition reduced to the last eight. In the girls event, Endsleigh Holy Child, Hull beat St Therese of Lisieux by one goal to claim a place in the semis, while St Benedict’s, Redcar went through at the expense of St Patrick’s, Thornaby. Our Lady, York overcame St Thomas More, Middlesbrough 2-1 while St Bede’s, Marske, looking particularly strong now, beat St Bernadette’s, Nunthorpe 4-0. Meanwhile in the boys competition, similar low scoring games saw the last 16 reduced to eight and the ensuing quarter finals resulted in St Aelred’s, York progressing after a win against St Benedict’s, Redcar ‘C’, St Gerard’s, Middlesbrough winning 1-0 against St Clare’s, St Margaret Clitherow ‘A’ knocking out St Benedict’s ‘A’ and St Bernadette’s beating St Edward’s, Middlesbrough ‘A’.

All was now set for the semi finals and the girls of Our Lady York secured a place in the final by beating Endsleigh Holy Child, Hull by a single goal, and St Benedict’s, Redcar also progressed after a close and hard fought game with St Bede’s, Marske, winning 3-2. The final between Our Lady’s, York and St Benedict’s was an excellent game with nothing between the two teams. Full time saw the score at 0-0 and extra time was played out without resolution by the ‘Golden Goal’ so a penalty shoot out ensued with St Benedict’s, Redcar finishing winners by two goals to nil.

In the boys semis, St Margaret Clitherow ‘A’ overcame St Aelred’s of York 3-0 to book a place in the final, and they were joined by St Bernadette’s, Nunthorpe who managed to overcome a resolute challenge from St Gerard’s, Middlesbrough. Again, the final was very closely fought with St Bernadette’s grabbing an early goal and in an end to end match, with both teams going close to scoring, the one goal proved to be enough with St Bernadette’s finishing as cup winners.

The runners-up in the boys and girls competitions were awarded the ‘Carillion Cup’ whilst the winning boys and girls teams both received the ‘Mike McCullagh Memorial Cup’.

‘An excellent tournament played with tremendous spirit in a wonderful setting. Congratulations to all who participated and to all those who helped in any way to make this, our twelfth annual competition, such a success!’

Tony McAvoy

Tournament Co-ordinator