Linfield boys win UK Tesco Cup Football Final
Linfield FC U13 boys, from Belfast, won the UK Tesco Cup football final, held at the Reebok Stadium, on Sunday. The boys lifted the trophy after beating Mostyn Dragons, representing Wales, 5-0 in the final, but struggled to make it home to celebrate, following more ‘ash cloud' disruptions.
Linfield FC, who also won the Tesco Cup UK final in 2008, faced tough competition from AFC Wimbledon in a tightly fought semi final. The game finished 1-1 with Linfield eventually winning 3-0 on penalties. The team then progressed to the final against Mostyn Dragons from Wales, which Linfield dominated from the outset, scoring an impressive 5 goals, including two from Best Player Jordan Thompson.
Post tournament, more drama was to unfold for three Northern Ireland teams playing in the finals, as Belfast airport was closed, following further eruptions to the Icelandic Volcano. With players from the U16 girls team, Sion Swifts, set to take their GCSE's this week, Tesco Cup organisers arranged transport for over 70 players and managers to ensure their safe return to Northern Ireland. Following a 12 hour trip, including a ferry from Stranraer, Scotland, the weary but triumphant U13 boys arrived home in Belfast, in the early hours of Monday morning.
Team Manager of Linfield FC Irvine Woods said, ‘We are really pleased and very proud of this squad. At home we are league champions, and National Tesco Champions, but to win the overall UK Tesco Cup Final at the Reebok Stadium, is the absolute icing on the cake. We are absolutely thrilled. We had a tough semi final but, saved the best until last, for the final.'
Former England international and Liverpool legend John Barnes attended the event and chose talented player, Jordan Thompson from Linfield as Player of the Tournament, for his impressive performances throughout the day, which included two goals in the final. Jason Craughwell was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Brad Lyons Midfielder of the Tournament.
Best Goalkeeper - Jason Craughwell - Linfield (Northern Ireland)
Best Defender - Ross Tate - Mostyn Dragons (Wales)
Best Midfielder - Brad Lyons - Linfield (Northern Ireland)
Best Forward - Josh Robertson - Mostyn Dragons (Wales)
Player of the Tournament - Jordan Thomspon - Linfield (Northern Ireland)
John Barnes said, “The Tesco Cup provides a big boost for football in the UK. For a teenager playing in a youth tournament, it is a fantastic incentive to play on the hallowed turf of a premier league club. All the teams playing at the Reebok Stadium have put in a lot of work and dedication to get here and fully deserve to reach the UK final. I was impressed with the standard of play amongst the Linfield boys, and I'm sure we have seen some future stars playing here today.”
The Tesco Cup is a home nations grassroots football competition across three age groups, U13 boys, U14 girls and U16 girls. Over 3,600 teams from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales entered the initial stages of the 2010 Tesco Cup. In 2010 it was a double celebration for Northern Ireland with Newry City girls winning the U14 girls age group. West Ham Girls, from England, took the UK title for the U16 girls.
The Tesco Cup is part of a wider commitment from Tesco to encourage children to get involved in sport. Now in its fifth year, Tesco works in conjunction with the FA and local communities to provide young footballers with the opportunity to play in a structured competition, on a national and international stage.
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