After winning the Junior Premier League South Coast Championship last week, our Under 16’s became the Junior Premier League national champions at the national finals at Warwick University over the weekend.

The Eastleigh Under 16’s competed against the seven other national division winners and four regional qualifiers, winning their group to advance to the final.  

Group results were:

1-0 win vs Ipswich Town (Woodward)

1-0 win vs Wiltshire Academy (Woodward)

5-0 win vs Yorkshire Elite (Grace x4, Cegielka)

1-0 win vs Macclesfield (Woodward)

1-1 draw vs JP Pro (K Kelly)

We faced Potters Bar Town in the final winning 1-0 with a great finish from Woodward following a through ball from Grace. This avenged the penalty shootout defeat to Potters Bar in the JPL National Cup last month.

A tremendous achievement to be crowned champions of England and the best U16 side in the Junior Premier League over the course of the season.

Credit to the team and staff for this huge achievement:

Reece Kelly, Leo Cassar, Aaron Christie, George Holbrook, Nathaniel Owen, Keegan Kelly, Alfie Crook, Thomas Woodward, Hubert Cegielka, Daniel Durney, Louie Saunders, Toby Marwood, Kai Grace, Spencer Mullen, Dominic Scambler, Barney Gillooly, Kenneth Nwachukwu, Lee Kelly (Manager), Neil Cassar (Assistant)

*Head Of Academy Luke Hardy had this to say;*

“What an outstanding achievement. The personal development of the players is our priority however it’s always fantastic to win any form of trophy, but to win a national competetion really is something quite special and shows off the fantastic academy system we have at the football club. This group of players and staff should be extremely proud of their achievements, and have put the academy on the map nationally. This is something they can all look back on in years to come with very fond memories. Our 3 under 16s squads have all had fantastic seasons and I look forward to seeing how all their seasons conclude over the coming weeks whilst they continue to represent the club in a fantastic light in the spitfire blue”.

We would like to record our thanks to our sponsors Lakedale Jersey Cows, TMA Building Servies and A&A Business Supplies for their continued support.