Blakehill Primary School pupils to play at Wembley

Blakehill Primary School, in Idle, will be starring in the EFL Utilita Kids Cup Grand Final on Sunday.

The team, who have represented Bradford City in every round of the Utilita Kids Northern Cup, defeated Grimsby in the Northern Regional Final in March.

They will play reigning champions Cooper & Jordan Primary School, who represent Walsall FC, ahead of the SkyBet League Two Play-Off Final with kick-off at 12pm.

The trip to London will mark the end of a busy week for the players as the majority will be completing their SATS exams prior to travelling to the capital on Saturday.

The team are ready for the big final (Image: Bradford City FC Community Foundation)Kiani, who plays for the team, said: "I'm very excited for Wembley. I'm most excited to have the experience to share it with my team and my school. 

"I'm a centre-back so I hope I came do my bit to keep a clean sheet and hopefully get the win."

Mathew Lumb and Oliver Read are fully behind the team (Image: Bradford City FC Community Foundation)Mathew Lumb, Sports and Personal Development Officer and School Team Manager, said: "I’m incredibly proud of my players, who have shown an unbelievable amount of discipline, talent and determination to reach the final. I am proud of them as footballers and as young people.

"The final at Wembley is a very big deal for me personally. I play at a good level of cricket, but coaching this team to Wembley trumps anything I've achieved in sport.

"Taking these kids to the final is a major accomplishment for them, the school, the city and myself."

The majority will be sitting their SATS before heading down to London (Image: Bradford City FC Community Foundation)As a reward, Blakehill were invited to the City's final home game of the season against Newport County on Saturday, April 27.

The players brought along their trophy and school banners for photos in the Valley Parade dugout and took part in the pre-match flag procession prior to the game.

Bantams players Harry Ibbitson and Zach Hadi visited the school last week and conducted a Q&A with the players before heading onto the school’s sports field for a kickabout.

Bantams players Harry Ibbitson and Zach Hadi visited the school (Image: Bradford City FC Community Foundation)Hadi said: “A lot of players dream of walking out at Wembley, but very few ever get the chance.

"These boys have already achieved something special just by getting there, and me, Harry and the whole team will be cheering them on and hoping they bring the trophy home.”

City stars have also shared personalised good luck messages for the playing squad, which will be shown to them on the evening before the final.

City stars have also shared personalised good luck messages for the playing squad (Image: Bradford City FC Community Foundation)Oliver Read, the Foundation’s Head of Premier League and Business Development, said: “We at the Foundation are delighted to show our support to the school and mark their achievement in reaching Wembley.

"We work with schools across the city and are always looking out for success stories to shout about.

"Blakehill have done Bradford proud, and I’m sure the whole city will be supporting them on Sunday.”