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District ready for first cup final in 13 years
Under-11s take on Hackney in Highbury showdown in Kay Trophy
A TEAM of young footballers – sponsored by the Camden New Journal – will be the pride of Camden on Wednesday when they run out at Highbury in the district side’s first major cup final in more than a decade.
Camden’s under-11 team have fought off stiff opposition to make a thrilling Kay Trophy final date with borough rivals Hackney.
The last time Camden reached the final was back in 1993, ironically against Hackney at Highbury, and one of the players who competed on that day predicts a thriller.
“It was a fantastic experience and it’s going to be one of the most memorable days of their young careers,” said former St George the Martyr School pupil Abul Koyar, who also coaches the Camden side that is set to follow in his footsteps.
A 0-0 draw that day saw Koyar and his team-mates share the trophy with Hackney, who were captained by current Reading star Lloyd Doyley.
But a goal fest is predicted when this district team, whose kits are sponsored by the CNJ, run out on the hallowed turf at midday on Wednesday.
“They are both attack-minded sides with some very good strikers and I think we are in for a feast of goals,” said John Larter, Hackney’s manager then and now.
The sides have already met twice this season and a massive 13 goals were scored.
Seven-times Kay Trophy winners Hackney had the edge in those games, but managers Will Cave and Sophie Sparrow, from Camden sports development team, are confident.
“They have improved a lot as the season has gone on and they are very focussed as a group,” said Cave.
The players, who attend primary schools across Camden, were hand-picked after being spotted by their schools or Camden School Sports Association league officials.
The side are bolstered by leading scorer Eurico Sebastian, a Richard Cobden School pupil who is also a Fulham Academy player, and newer signings Jack Ainsworth and Conor Maguire.
Scores of primary school pupils are expected to cheer the team on at Highbury in what will be one of the last competitive games ever held at the stadium.
Cave added: “They are very excited about playing at Arsenal. The games are always good between Hackney and Camden, I think it will be a high scoring match.”
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