Goals lessons for schoolboys
Staffordshire schoolboys got close to professional footballers when they visited Walsall Football Club to take on the job as ball boys during the team's latest game. Staffordshire schoolboys got close to professional footballers when they visited Walsall Football Club to take on the job as ball boys during the team's latest game. Year six pupils from St Joseph's Primary in Rugeley and year seven children from Cardinal Griffin High in Cannock. They picked up tips on Saturday when the Saddlers played Barnet, winning 4-1. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
There was also time before the game kicked off to pose for a quick photograph with team mascot Swifty.
Paul Mobberley, deputy headteacher at St Joseph's said: "The pupils had a terrific time and it seems they brought good luck to the club as, following a recent dip in form, they recorded an emphatic 4-1 win, despite being a goal down."
Mr Mobberley organised the day out and is actively involved in promoting links between the primary and secondary schools.
He said: "It meant the older pupils could act as role models for the younger ones and also helped develop our schools links with Walsall FC and celebrate our football development in general."
The school has recently been given a grant from the Football Foundation to cover the cost of a new kit and replacement goalposts.
The picture, right, shows the children who were taking part. They are, back from left, Jack Ratcliffe, Thomas Hodgkiss, Jack Lawrence, Joshua Bird, Connor Gormley and Zach Jones; front, from left, Luke Hildreth, Daniel Bickley, Dylan Wharton, Ben McNulty, George Aston and Alex Hamilakis.
