St. Mary’s College U13 Boys are ESFA National Small Schools’ Cup Champions!

27 May 2025

St. Mary’s College Under 13 Boys played an outstanding performance in the ESFA National Small Schools Cup competition on Friday 23rd May at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Stadium. The competition gives schools with smaller student populations a platform to compete and achieve national recognition. The competition is a prestigious event within the English Schools Football Association‘s portfolio.

The U13 team played against Royal Russell School from Croydon. The boys dominated the game with a brilliant 3-0 victory with goals scored by Jacob Woods, Oscar Townsley, and Patrick Donegan.

During the game, the pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s College were able to watch the game from a live stream on ESFATV, and were cheering on the team all the way from Crosby.

It was a fantastic achievement and experience for the team, all pupils were as young as Year 8 with a bright future for many players involved.

The team were led by Team Manager Mr Williams and Coach Mr Manley, who travelled with the team to West Bromwich the night before the big game and helped prepare the team to feel ready for a fantastic game that lay ahead for them.

Player of the Match was awarded to Jacob Woods for a fantastic performance, as said brilliantly by one of the commentators ‘Jacob’s been a cracker!’

An ESFA interviewer also praised the school, saying, ‘This is just a college that creates talent!’

We couldn’t be prouder of the team and Mr Manley thanked the players saying ‘Every player was fantastic, including all three subs – once again this remarkable group of pupils have left us bursting with pride.’