Pictured - 2009/10 Stockport County winners, Ashdene Primary School (Wilmslow)Stockport County Community Foundation have received a bonus of £500 for the scheme from The Football League, for the amount of Primary Schools entered in the Football League Community Cup (under 11's). Stockport County finished in the top 5, out of all 72 Football League clubs, along with Bradford City, Derby County, Huddersfield Town and Wycombe Wanderers, who also secured a £500 bonus.
The payment is on top of receiving £10 per school entering the annual 6-a-side tournament, which this year has seen the Community Foundation hold 'Group Stages' in Stockport (x3), Tytherington, Dukinfield and Chapel-en-le-Frith in the High Peak.
The 'Local Final' was played on the Edgeley Park turf at half time on 20th March, when Stockport County entertained Brentford FC, Ashdene Primary (Wilmslow) beat Alexandra Park Primary (Edgeley) on the day and progressed to the 'Divisional Finals' at Huddersfield Town, unfortunately, losing out in the Final to Oldham Athletic, who went on to the National Final at Wembley Stadium.
Stockport County Community Officer, Mike Smith, said "We have had a fantastic Community Cup this year, and are looking to further expand the tournament next season, by holding more 'Group Stages' in both the High Peak and Tameside, enabling more schools to get involved and enter a team. Our thanks go to all the schools who participated and to the Football League for once again running the competition, roll on next year!"
Application Forms for the Community Cup will be sent out to Primary Schools in Stockport, Tameside, High Peak and Macclesfield in September 2010, the road to Wembley starts then!
