St Joseph’s College, in Ipswich, lands second successive national cup at West Brom’s Hawthorns stadium

For the second year in a row, a St Joseph’s College football team has won the final of a national cup as the under-15 boys were victorious in the ESFA final against Clifton High School Bristol on Wednesday.

Playing at West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns Stadium, St Jo’s boys – coached by Louis Henman-Mason – also defeated Attleborough Academy and scored a last-minute winner against St John’s on their route to the final.

This comes after the success of the Ipswich independent school’s under-18 girls last year, who achieved an unprecedented treble of trophies – winning the ESFA National Cup, ISFA National Trophy and the Suffolk County Cup.

“As the squad reflect on what has been a history-making season for our boys’ football provision, they should do so with great pride in the fact that they left everything on the pitch, earning every bit of the success they have achieved,” said Henman-Mason.

“Their hard work throughout the season has given them more and more self belief. With each progression they made in the competition, you felt as though the group were becoming more comfortable and confident, solving problems on their own and driving standards from within the group.”

St Joseph’s College football department, made up of Paige Shorten (director of football), Cole Skuse (head football coach and Bury Town boss), Ian Kershaw (under-13 phase lead) and Henman-Mason (Bury Town first-team midfielder), are incredibly proud of what the side have achieved.

“Their journey has been remarkable and to watch them perform on the big stage at the Hawthorns Stadium on Wednesday, representing the College with such professionalism and dignity was a true highlight,” said Fred Wenham, director of Sport at St Joseph's College.

“Moreover, the support from their peers and fellow students of the College was testament to the community that we have here, and made it a day which will live long in the memory.”