We are the champions! Footballers from Upton Juniors are celebrating winning this year’s Les Riggs Cup competition.

The victorious team emphatically beat Broadstairs neighbours St Peter’s Juniors 4-1 in the tournament final held at Margate FC’s Hartsdown Park.

It means the trophy is once again held by Upton who won the first ever trophy when the competition was launched in 1974.

The triumph came after six months of knock-out games that pitted Thanet’s best school teams against each other on the route to the final.

Upton’s team of players from Years 5 and 6 delivered consistently impressive performances throughout the competition and capped it with a dominant display in one of Thanet’s longest-running primary school sports events.

In the first round the high-scoring champions beat Cliftonville 7-2, followed by wins over Ramsgate Holy Trinity 5-2, and St Saviours, Westgate, 3-1.

Upton teacher and PE lead Callum Noble said: “The boys played amazingly in the final knowing that for most of them it was possibly their last competitive match at Upton before they move to secondary school.

“The team was on the ball from the first minute, getting a quick goal and keeping possession, taking the chances at crucial times. It was a solid performance from all involved. It is a real honour for us to win the Les Riggs Cup.”

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Our school community is proud of this achievement. The boys competed strongly throughout this well-contested tournament that highlighted the high level of skill there is in primary school football across the district.

“They thoroughly deserved their victory and it is a lovely touch that the trophy was won by the school that enjoyed success when the competition was first held almost 50 years ago.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

*For more information contact Head of School Darci Arthur on 01843 861393.