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Cars tooted and passers-by showed their appreciation for the kids of St Clement’s School, who got the star treatment today as they celebrated their national football victory with an open top bus parade through the streets of the Island.
The youngsters did their own ‘Leicester City’ - as unfancied St Clement’s were one of the smallest schools competing in the Danone Nations Cup in May.
But the St Clement’s kids can now proudly boast they are the best in the country, after becoming the first team ever from Jersey to win the prestigious Under 11's national competition.
The group of boys from Jersey brought the cup to the Island, organised by the English Schools' Football Association, after winning the final in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out at Premier League winners Leicester City's King Power Stadium.
After Samuel McLoughlin saved a penalty, it was up to Joel McKinlay to slot home the winner and bring the trophy to Jersey.
Their coach was Deputy Headteacher, Richard Heaven, who said: “It is a tremendous achievement by the children and all the more unexpected because from year three through to year six we have only 82 pupils. We were up against much bigger schools, but, rather like Leicester City in the Premier League, we came through to win the day. By an amazing co-incidence the final was played at Leicester’s own ground.
“It is a fairy tale come true and the bus parade is the icing on the cake, or should I say over the moon, as footballers always say.”
The bus arrived at the school today at 9.30am and left Le Rocquier School at 10am, before going through St Helier and back to the school.
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