A SOLIHULL primary school football team could see their Wembley dreams become a reality as they hope to progress to the finals of a prestigious tournament.
Year six students at Monkspath Junior and Infant School have beaten off competition to represent Birmingham City Football Club in the next round of the English Football League (EFL) Kids Cup.
This is a nationwide under-11s six-a-side competition featuring 72 clubs split into three divisions.
They were paid a visit on Thursday by the Birmingham City captain, Michael Morrison, who hoped to inspire the boys to victory in the latest round.
The winner of the Southern Division will get the chance to showcase their skills at Wembley Stadium in May.
In order to represent one of the Midland’s biggest football clubs, they have conquered other teams in the borough – progressing undefeated- as well as many in the Birmingham district.
Young competitors will hope to impress under the careful scrutiny of some of the nation’s top scouts – and follow in the footsteps of players like Watford’s Will Hughes who was spotted at the tournament.
With the Championship play-off final happening that same weekend, the schools final will act as an undercard to the main event.
The Monkspath team will have to rise to the challenge against 11 other EFL Championship Clubs for the Southern division round in Reading.
Their coach and teacher at Monkspath, Jack Poole, has said how proud he is of the boys as the school is swept by ‘football fever’.
He said: “This in an incredible achievement for not just the lucky few who are apart of the team but all the boys who take part in every intense training they have supported and challenged the boys in the first team to reach new heights.
“In addition to winning our league, undefeated, in the solihull school area we have transferred our form into the Birmingham City EFL Cup qualifying rounds.
“As Team manager, I am immensely proud of this extremely humble and hardworking group.
“Tremendous thanks must go to the whole school community who have been completely engulfed with football fever.
“How could we possibly forget the parents who not only have invested so much in this team but also ourselves as coaches.
Mr Poole expressed excitement about the visit of the Birmingham City captain.
He said: “The opportunity to play at Wembley is tantalising, there will be little sleep before our trip down to Reading.
“But the boys have been galvanised by appearance of Michael Morrison, who talked to the boys about what it takes to play under pressure, the love of the game all before taking a fantastic final training session.
“At the end he gave an inspiring motivational speech which will carry the boys all the way down to Wembley.”
