21-05-2025
The story of a staggering season for this Warrington junior football team
IT has been quite the season for Matthiola JFC's under 13s – and it could be about to get better still.
Having earned the right to represent the north west on the national stage, the team are gearing up for a county cup final in their attempt to secure a league and cup double.
The Great Sankey-based team enjoyed a staggering campaign in the Junior Premier League and were champions of their division having won 14 of their 16 matches, losing just once.
As a result, they were invited to compete at the JPL's National Finals tournament at Warwick University last weekend, where they distinguished themselves against more established academy sides.
Now, focus switches to adding a cup final win to their league title as they travel to Walton Hall Park – the home of Everton FC's women's and age-group sides – to face Liver Juniors in the LCFA County Cup Final on Friday night.
'We are all proud of the lads and their progression both individually and as a team,' the team's manager Alan Staniford said.
'Some of them have gone on to play for professional academies and some have pushed themselves towards the top of the grassroots standard, showing development at all ability levels.
'Above all though, they have all developed into fine teenagers and young men for which we are all immensely proud of.
'I would like to thank our fantastic parents for their unwavering support and dedication travelling thousands of miles to not miss a game or training session, giving our players the best platform to succeed.
'And also, a massive thanks to our coaches Adam Rosterne and Neil Hunter, who have been there for myself and the team every step of the way and it has been key to keeping the group on track at a challenging age, not just in football but in their lives.'
