Football glory has returned to a Waltham Forest school after nearly six decades.
The Waltham Forest Schools’ District Under-13 football team became the first side from the borough since 1968 to win a national cup title, and the first ever to lift the trophy outright.
The historic win came after a dramatic campaign in the English Schools’ FA Champions' Cup Plate.
The team battled through the group stage and then secured away victories over Mid Sussex (2-1) and West Sussex (4-1) in the knockout rounds. They edged past Havering in an all-Essex semi-final, drawing 2-2 before triumphing 3-0 on penalties to reach the final.
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The decider took place at Sixways Stadium in Worcester against Doncaster, with Waltham Forest captain Henri Cela leading the team out to the sound of the Champions League anthem.
Within the first minute, Finn Cockrill went close to giving Waltham Forest the lead after fine work from Ottavio Sola and Forest Glazebrook.
The first half was goalless despite chances at both ends. But after the break, Waltham Forest grew in confidence, backed by more than 60 travelling supporters.
With 15 minutes left, a moment of brilliance settled the contest.
Donté Yorke collected the ball in his own half, surged forward, and unleashed a 30-yard strike into the top corner. The goal triggered wild celebrations and an acrobatic celebration from Yorke.
Substitutes Arthur Emmanuel and Kaelan Kwateng saw out the final minutes with composure.
Hopes were briefly threatened in stoppage time when Doncaster won a free-kick and sent everyone forward.
A powerful header was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Toby Barnes to preserve the lead. Soon after, the final whistle confirmed Waltham Forest as national champions.
The full squad included Toby Barnes (Highams Park), Aaron Colley (Chingford Foundation), Henri Cela (captain, Heathcote), Archie Adams (Leytonstone), Theo Warburton (Frederick Bremer), Forest Glazebrook (Forest), Kaelan Kwateng (Kelmscott), Finn Cockrill (Leytonstone), Ottavio Sola (Forest), Chikamso Michael-Okoye (Holy Family), Donté Yorke (Highams Park), Arthur Emmanuel (Leytonstone), Beau Young (South Chingford Foundation), Billy Cockrill (Leytonstone), Naveah Bailey (Lammas), Frankie Little (Forest), Ralph Anderson (Frederick Bremer), and Parker Ly (Heathcote).
The team was managed by Matt Lustig (Norlington) with David Barnes as assistant manager.
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