Football Achievements.
The Wilf Mannion Cup 2008.
Taken from the Evening Gazette
MORE than 400 Teesside children took part in the 2008 Wilf Mannion Cup with Green Lane Primary School of Acklam emerging victorious.
Organised and sponsored by Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community, the two-day competition – the sixth of its kind – saw 56 teams and 448 children taking part from 30 primary schools. Matches were held at Boro’s Eston-based Community Centre and were refereed by MFCiC coaches and staff.
Green Lane won the trophy on penalties after they drew 1-1 with Rosewood in the final.
It capped a successful season for the school, who also won the Premier League Cup at Middlesbrough and finished eighth in the Nationwide competition.
The Wilf Mannion Trophy was given extra support this year by the Middlesbrough FC shirt sponsor Garmin, who will be working in close partnership with the Boro Community Project throughout the coming season.
The triumphant Green Lane players each received a Garmin goody bag, including one of the company’s products, the Forerunner 50 watch.
They also received their winners’ trophies supplied by A1Trophies.
Youth engagement worker Rachael Newton said: “The event was a great success and enjoyed by all involved.
“The teams were thrilled with their prizes, which were kindly given to them by Garmin. The event has made an excellent start to the summer.”
Project worker and event organiser Neil Trainor added: “The games were played in an excellent manner with fair play and enjoyment at the forefront.
“All of the teams should be very proud of the part they played over the two days.”
Premier League achievements
Taken from the Evening Gazette
A GROUP of primary school children hold Middlesbrough Football Club’s last chance of winning silverware this season.
Pupils from Green Lane Primary School in Acklam have won the right to represent Boro at the national finals of the Premier League Cup, held at Reading’s Madejski Stadium on May 19.
Earlier in the season the Under-11 six-a-side squad fought off tough competition from 28 other Teesside schools to win the Community Premier League Cup held at Eston leisure centre.
The team, made up of seven Year Six pupils and one from Year Five, beat Ormesby’s Overfields Primary 3-2 in the final to earn the right to represent Boro in the Northern Regional Finals on April 2.
Green Lane faced five other Premier League primary schools in the regional finals and in their opening game with Manchester United recovered from being two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw - Michael McGouran scoring both.
In their second game the Acklam lads again came back from a two goal deficit to defeat Derby rivals Newcastle 3-2 - Michael McGouran grabbing a brace and Joe Scaife with the other.
Their next result was more convincing, smashing Sunderland 8-2 with Michael McGouran and Joe Scaife securing hat-tricks and James Holmes and Charlie Eddon notching one-apiece.
A 6-0 victory over Manchester City - with goals from Charlie Eddon (3), Michael McGouran (2) and James Brown - put Middlesbrough top of the league with ten points.
In the final against second placed Manchester United, Green Lane took a three goal lead into half-time but let it slip in the second half to draw 3-3 and signal penalties.
Aaron Bradshaw was the hero in the shoot-out, saving two of the first four penalties, as Michael McGouran, James Holmes, James Brown and Joe Scaife all converted to send Middlesbrough and Green Lane through to the national finals as newly crowned northern champions.
Jon Hall, Year Five teacher and football co-ordinator, said: “I am so, so proud of them. Throughout the competition they have shown such determination and have kept their heads at the vital moments.”
“At times they have played football and displayed an attitude way beyond their years and I cannot praise them highly enough.”
“We can’t wait to get on the Premier League pitch, the kids are more than a bit excited.”
National Finals at Reading
Taken from the Evening Gazette
CONGRATULATIONS to the pupils at Green Lane Primary School who worked their socks off in the national finals of the Premier League Cup, held at Reading’s Madejski Stadium.
Unfortunately the Under-11, pictured above, eight-man squad could not keep up their excellent form and ended up drawing three and narrowly losing four of their games.
The youngsters finished the six-a-side tournament eighth in a competition that had over 500 teams and nearly 6,000 children competing nationally.
Jon Hall, Year 5 teacher and football co-ordinator, said: “Although we came away disappointed everyone at Green Lane are still ever so proud of the boys.
“We did not play as we can, but that was certainly not down to any lack of effort on the boys’ behalf.
“A day that I am sure the boys will remember for the rest of their lives. They should be extremely proud of their achievements.
“It was nice to see Matthew Kobrus scoring goals after missing the northern finals with illness.”
Green Lane’s man-of-the-day was defender James Brown, who never let his head drop and whose performance and attitude were absolutely superb.
In a truly memorable day all trophies and medals were presented by Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League.
Premiership referees, including Steve Bennett, also attended.
Earlier in the season the Green Lane side overcame tough competition from 28 other Teesside schools to win the Community Premier League Cup held at Eston leisure centre.
They went on to face four other Premier League primary schools in the regional finals, convincingly beating Newcastle, Sunderland and Manchester City before securing their passage into the finals with a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United.
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