Jake Morgan and Harrison Barnes both play for the U12 Sheffield United football academy. Over the past few months they have been learning all about the Christmas truce during World War 2, as well as the Windrush generation and Walter Tull (a black footballer who played for Tottenham and became the first black officer in the army, he lost his life in the war but his legacy lives on to inspire younger footballers against lots of adversity).
As part of their studies the boys were amongst 12 European teams to qualify for a tournament which they played in Ypres Belgium last weekend. On the first day they visited multiple war sites, went in the trenches, museums, held original weapons and visited the graves of the fallen. A ceremony was held at ‘The Bridge’ where they laid a wreath of remembrance. Day 2 was the first day of the football tournament.
It is the first time a category 2 academy has ever qualified for this prestigious Premier League tournament and against all odds the squad reached the finals. Jake scored an amazing goal in the semi finals against Wolves which took them through to penalties where Harrison saved one to put them through to the finals. Both boys played their socks off!
Unfortunately, they lost 1-0 in the final against a very experienced Chelsea team, but we are immensely proud of these 2 lads and this achievement, well done boys!
