Rock Ferry High School reach English Schools' Cup Final

2:45pm Tuesday 25th March 2008

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ROCK Ferry High School football team are through to the English Schools' Football Association (ESFA) Under-16 Final..

In the semi-final at RAF Cosford, they booked their place in the final at Manchester City's stadium with a 2-0 victory over Cheshire's Penketh High School.

Players battled against the wind in a hotly-contested game.

More than 50,000 students compete in the prestigious RAF Schools' Cup each year, and Rock Ferry is one of the remaining boys' teams to win a place in the finals, which are to be held at the City of Manchester Football Stadium on Monday, April 28 - just days before the UEFA Cup Final will be hosted there.

Rock Ferry High School coach Darrell Karisa said: "I'm incredibly proud of how the lads performed. They have a really strong bond as a team and are 100 per cent committed to the game.

"Our attack was really strong, with Ross Parry scoring a screamer of a first goal after 15 minutes. When Billy Foster scored the second goal we knew we were on our way to Man City!

"I think we are the most complete team the Wirral has ever seen."

The semi-finals always prove to be an incredible day of fun and a great opportunity to showcase some of the country's best youth football talent.

Group Captain Mark Page, of the RAF Inspectorate of Recruiting, said: "The teams competing in the semi-finals have worked tirelessly throughout the season to get to this stage. Their complete dedication never ceases to impress me, and each year the standard of football continues to rise.

"All of the players have demonstrated commitment, discipline and drive - qualities that will help them achieve success in life both on and off the pitch. I wish them the best of luck for this match and the future."

It's no easy ride getting to the final stages of the RAF Schools' Cup, as ESFA Chairman Gerry Smith explained: "More than two thirds of English Secondary Schools compete in the RAF Schools cup, so the players who have reached the semi-finals have done tremendously well to get this far. They have done a brilliant job of proving their ability to play top class football, and they should feel a real sense of pride in their achievement."

Rock Ferry will go on to play Torquay Boys' Grammar in the prestigious national final at the City of Manchester Stadium on Monday, April 28.