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Exeter Middle School's Cup
Final.St James Park
Exeter, UK, 1997 April 23
It was certainly a rare experience to find myself taking the afternoon off work to trek the hundred or so miles (160km) along the A35 from Southampton to Exeter in order to watch an amateur football match. It was played in the dilapidated ground of a struggling nation-wide third division club on a windy Monday evening. However, this was probably the most important local Derby clash since Plymouth Argyle last visited St James' Park (Exeter's City stadium). For this was the Exeter middle school's cup final. This was between two schools from the St Leonard's area of the City: Central Middle School, the local comprehensive and Exeter School, a prestigious independent grammar school.
At this point I must declare that my support was biased. I have a child at each school, my eldest son Jacob attends the Exeter School. Surely one of the last of the fortunate bright kids to benefit from the soon to be dismantled 'assisted places' scheme. It was, however, Central Middle School with my youngest son Joseph as midfield playmaker that received my cheers.
On arriving at St James Park I was pleasantly surprised to shell out less than £2.00 at the turnstile for entry and an informative programme with some delightful contributions from competing players. As I took my seat I witnessed the closing stages of the third place play off. This was a very one sided affair with Countess Wear School comfortable winners, notable for the Gabrrizio Ravenellie style goal celebrations from their centre forward.
Only one side of the stadium was in use for spectators, which helped create a good atmosphere. This was heightened as the kick off for the final neared with more parents, relations and school children swelling the numbers. I was a little surprised that the full size pitch was utilised until I realised the youngsters would only be expected to perform the thirty minutes each half instead of the usual forty five.
As the game got under way and the first half progressed, both teams impressed with their footballing skills, discipline and unselfishness and were evenly matched. This probably surprised the Central players who had been supremely confident of winning. It was they who opened the scoring midway through the half thanks to a scrappy goal from Simon Hicks.
The equaliser was a thumping free kick from outside the penalty area taken by Harry Trick. The youngsters in the crowd were becoming very excited, particularly the Central supporters who outnumbered their opponents. Spontaneous chants of 'Central, Central,' were loud and frequent drowning out the Exeter schools fans. The teams were still level at half time and as the second half progressed the game opened up as driving legs tired and more space was created. The most dangerous looking player on the pitch was blond haired Matt Hopper. The Exeter striker who showed great pace throughout the game but he and his team mates' efforts were blocked time after time by a resolute Central School defence. This was marshalled by the outstanding centre back Chris Johnson who pulled off some stupendous last ditch tackles to keep his team in the game. I later discovered that only hours previously he had had a plaster cast removed from a broken arm. With the game entering injury time and extra time looming the Exeter defence failed to deal with an awkward long high ball - the last kick of the game. The final whistle was the cue for wild celebrations Central fans swarmed onto the pitch to congratulate their school mates, looking down from my vantage point high in the stand this writhing mass of euphoric twelve year olds was reminiscent of maggots in an anglers bait tin.
There is no easy way to lose in a cup final but the last minute sickener was a particularly cruel blow for the Exeter school players who were very unfortunate. Indeed they would not have been unworthy victors had fate decreed otherwise. I was most impressed in the way these young lads took their disappointment for although no doubt tears were shed later; they accepted defeat with dignity. They were a credit to Norman Shiel, their manager: a true supporter of football and collector of memorabilia.
Exeter's progress in this competition was all the more remarkable as Grammar schools tend to give priority to other sports and has only entered the cup for the last three years. For these reasons and their fine performance in the final I'm sure they will be back next year, stronger and wiser.
To the victor the spoils. Peter Fox, the Exeter city manager presented the cup to the Central School Captain, the impressive Max Carter. A just reward for a solid team performance. This was a proud day for the volunteer co-managers; Max.'s dad and James Mills and for Richard Kermode the Central schoolteacher who also was involved.
So three cheers for Central Middle School. The state school kids triumph in the great working glass sport. Yet I wonder for how long? If the Exeter School note the success of their football teams and grant them more importance within the sports curriculum I feel it won't be long before the unrivalled facilities discipline and organisation offered by independent schools prevails.
My thanks to Norman Shiel of the Exeter School and Richard Kermode from Central Middle School for their valued contributions and team photographs.
