FOOTBALLING friends forever have ended an era of success with a double win.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College’s Year 11 football squad, who have trained and played together for the past five seasons, have won both the area and county cups.
Their success was mirrored at area level by the school’s Year 8 and 9 squads cementing players’ reputations among the best in the region.
The Year 11 squad, which includes six county-level players, took the area cup with an emphatic 11-0 win against neighbouring St Francis Xavier School. In the county cup they defeated Scalby School, Whitby 1-0.
The final match ended an incredible era of competition that saw many parents with tears in their eyes.
Ben Ruddock’s single goal in the Year 11 county finals secured the county trophy for the third year running.
Undefeated through years 7-11, the side proved unconquerable because of the passion for the game and intuitive tactics.
Coach Jonathan Kellett said: “They played together at break and lunchtimes, they trained together after school and they played together in countless matches. They seemed to know what each other was thinking and were indomitable as a result.
“Many have had trials, some play for Richmond Town first team and am sure could flourish in the professional game. While their incredible success is tinged with sadness now it is all over, many are planning to return to our sixth form just so they can continue to play together, which is fantastic.”
Year 7-11 teams all played in the area finals with Years 8 and 9 coming away as champions and Years 7 and 10 narrowly missing out.
Year 8s defeated Easingwold 8-0, while Year 9s beat Thirsk School 7-0.
Richmond School also secured their second County Cup victory of the season with the Year 9s defeating York High School 8-0 at Harrogate Town.
Mr Kellett said: “It’s hard to think of a season that has been this successful right across the age groups. It has certainly set the bar at Richmond School and we are already looking forward to next season.”