Blackpool FC Community Trust column: Westcliff celebrate a second straight EFL Kids Cup title at Stanley Park
Blackpool FC Community Trust’s latest weekly column for the Gazette.
Westcliff Primary Academy will represent their school and Blackpool in the regional finals of the EFL U11 Kids Cup after winning Blackpool FC Community Trust’s tournament for a second consecutive year.
BFCCT welcomed approximately 180 pupils from 20 teams, representing primary schools across the Fylde coast, to Stanley Park on Monday of this week for the competition.
The EFL Kids Cup is an invitation event, open to primary schools in the Blackpool area, and gives pupils the opportunity to compete in a seven-a-side football tournament against other local schools.
The winners earn the right to represent their school and the Seasiders at the regional finals, with the ultimate prize being the chance to play at Wembley Stadium during the League One play-off final.
It featured four groups of five teams, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout stages.
The standard of football throughout the morning was excellent, with qualification from every group going down to the final fixture.
All of the teams demonstrated great determination, teamwork and sportsmanship, making it a fantastic morning of football.
The eight sides progressing to the quarter-finals were St Nicholas Blues, Sacred Heart, Moor Park, Layton, Anchorsholme, Norbreck, Westcliff and St John Vianney.
Three of the four quarter-finals went to penalties before the semi-finals saw Westcliff play Layton and Anchorsholme take on St Nicholas Blues.
Both matches were competitive but it was Westcliff and St Nicholas Blues who came out on top to secure their places in the final.
The final proved to be another closely-fought encounter, with both teams creating chances throughout the two seven-minute halves.
After a goalless first half, there were just three minutes remaining when Westcliff launched a counter-attack and scored a fantastic team goal to earn a 1-0 victory.
They produced some excellent football throughout the tournament, demonstrating fantastic teamwork and determination to successfully defend their title.
Congratulations also to runners-up St Nicholas Blues, who should be incredibly proud of their performances throughout the morning.
Westcliff now progress to the regional finals in the new year, with the opportunity to take another step towards the famous Wembley turf.
A spokesman said: “It was great to see so many schools attend our annual EFL Kids Cup competition on Monday morning at Stanley Park.
“It was fantastic to see all the children showcasing their footballing talent, working hard as a team and demonstrating their determination to win their matches, while also showing great sportsmanship.
“As staff, it was brilliant to watch so many excellent spells of football throughout the morning, with some fantastic fixtures taking place across all the groups.
“A massive well done to Westcliff, who played some excellent football throughout the morning and were crowned winners of our 2026 Kids Cup competition.
“It is a fantastic achievement for the team to win the competition for the second year in a row.
“We wish them the very best of luck as they represent Blackpool FC at the regional finals in the new year.”