Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School team heading to county football finals for first time

The Year 7 team is heading to the finals

Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School in Ramsgate has reached the final of the Kent Schools Football Association tournament for the first time in its history.

Year 7 youngsters from the school will go head to head with counterparts from Rainham Mark grammar for the KSFA Under 12’s Denis O’Donovan Trophy.

The match will take place under the floodlights at Ramsgate FC’s ground on March 24 from 8pm.

Some 72 schools entered the event last September and a large crowd is expected at the WW Martin ground for the final.

It will be a special evening for both teams, but for the Thanet side there’s extra excitement of reaching the final of a KSFA tournament for the first time.

Chatham and Clarendon PE teacher Nicholas Argyrides said: “As a PE department, we have made a big push to develop and promote both boys and girls football at the school over the last few years.

“I believe we are now starting to reap the rewards due to the hard work, time and effort the department put into extra-curricular football and sport as a whole. This is the first time in the school’s history that we have reached a county football final and that has been down to the energy and spirit this group of students have put in since joining the school in September.

“There is certainly a feel-good factor going around Chatham and Clarendon currently and that has a lot to do with what this team have achieved so far.

“Back in November, they were crowned district champions, having overcome opposition against other local secondary schools in Thanet and have carried that momentum into the county competition.

“We have faced tough opponents in the Kent Cup and there have been occasions where we have been close to being knocked out. However, their attitude and desire to win has carried them over the line to reach the final, where we will face Rainham Mark Grammar School.

“We have a talented cohort of footballers in Year 7 and I am proud to lead and manage this particular group of boys. They are a pleasure to take to fixtures due to their love of football and work rate that they demonstrate when playing.”