Football: Rochdale U10 Girls win ESF2018 Champions Trophy

The Rochdale U10 girls with their trophies: L-R Grace Foster, Phoebe Clark, Poppy Madden, Eva Williamson , Kyra Matthews, Gracie-May Smith, Cienna Williams, Siri Penney

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Scroll down for Video

An under 10 girls team from Rochdale has been crowned as ESF2018 Champions following a weekend tournament in Skegness, one of the biggest in the country.

The girls played elite teams from around the country and won all but one game conceding only one goal.

The team – made up of Grace Foster (Middleton), Phoebe Clark (Rochdale), Poppy Madden (Heywood), Eva Williamson (Bamford), Kyra Matthews (Rochdale), Gracie-May Smith (Middleton), Cienna Williams (Rochdale) and Siri Penney (Castleton) – played a total of six games over two days, winning five (2-0, 7-0, 2-0, 4-0, 1-0) and losing one (0-1).

The girls won all four games on the Saturday, which put them at the top of the league table, but then lost the first game of the Sunday, despite out-playing the other team.

The loss put their tournament win in jeopardy, but this did not phase them. The girls all played with commitment, skill and professionalism beyond their years and were rewarded with a winning goal by Grace Foster in the closing minutes.

The team were awarded their trophies at a prestigious ceremony by Ray Parlour, Paul Merson and Sue Smith, and have also been invited to St George's training ground where the England sides train.

Mark Williamson, Eva’s dad, said: “This an amazing achievement for the Rochdale girls, it's a fantastic advertisement for the girls’ football. They are just going from strength to strength.”

Siri's dad, David Penney, said: “Congratulations to all the kids who did themselves and the borough proud. Well done also for the fabulous support provided by the parents, who made it all happen, especially Adam, Martyn and Dale for their coaching skills.”