English Schools' Football Association

Coventry’s Ricoh Arena is to host an ESFA Inter County Cup Final Double Header

This season has seen teams from across the country enter into 45 English Schools’ FA National Cup competitions to compete for the opportunity to be crowned National Champions. As part of this extensive programme of activity, an Inter County double header event will be hosted at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on Saturday 29 April 2017:

• ESFA U16 Inter County Boys’ Cup Final: Staffordshire SFA v Greater Manchester SFA – KO 12pm
• ESFA U18 Inter County Boys’ Cup Final: Essex SFA v Durham SFA – KO 4:00 pm

These finalists have battled it out throughout the season so far to make it through to these prestigious National Finals. The event will be a celebration of top level County Representative team football and pay tribute to the outstanding quality of football showcased through the ESFA and the fantastic young players developed by the schools’ football system.

Last season, Sussex SFA won double with their U16s and U18s being the current holders of the Inter County Cup National Champions titles. It's now up to Staffordshire, Gt. Manchester, Essex and Durham to claim the titles for the 2016/17 season.

Last Season's ESFA U18 Inter County Winners, Sussex SFA celebrating their victory at Birmingham City FC

Andrea Chilton, ESFA CEO said ‘I wish to congratulate all of the teams on their success in reaching the ESFA Inter County Cup National Finals. It is testament to the commitment and hard work of players and staff, with the ongoing support of their local schools, that they have reached the pinnacle of these competitions. We wish all of our worthy finalists the best of luck for a successful day.We would also like to thank the staff at the Ricoh Arena for their support in hosting this football final on our behalf.

Alan Johnston, ESFA Chairman said ‘The quality of the experience the players will have in this match will be a memory that they will retain for the rest of their lives. The ESFA have been running schools’ football for 112 years. I hope these finals will be able to portray the importance of this legacy. Schools’ football is a unique experience for the thousands of schoolchildren who enjoy it every year and the principles of sportsmanship, good behavior, respect for officials and opponents are cornerstones of our philosophy. I hope everyone can feel a great sense of pride in what they and their team have achieved this season’

Sussex also fielded the winning U16 Inter County Team last season - celebrating at Nottingham Forest FC

The ESFA is extremely proud to be able to provide so many young footballers in schools and colleges across England with the opportunity to showcase their ability and teamwork and compete in prestigious ESFA National Cup Competitions. This season has seen over 6,700 teams enter at secondary school age and a further 7,000 teams participate at the primary school age group as well as opportunities for District and County representative team football.

Hospitality packages are available for both Ricoh Arena finals and information and bookings can be made via our website. Alternatively please contact us for further details. The finals will be streamed live online and for free, thanks to 247.TV and will be able to view on our YouTube channel, ESFA TV.

The ESFA wish the best of luck to all competing teams at the Ricoh Arena this season!