YORK and District under-13s captain Ben Godfrey hailed a “fantastic” day after he created history by lifting the English Schools’ FA Inter-Association Trophy.

The Archbishop Holgate’s School pupil led his side to a 2-0 victory over Southampton in yesterday’s final at Milton Keynes Dons FC with Ben Hirst and Joey McCormick scoring the goals in front of an army of watching Premier League scouts, including representatives from Manchester City and Aston Villa.

In doing so, the team become the first from York to win an English Schools’ FA competition and a delighted Godfrey, who is a member of Championship club Middlesbrough’s academy, said afterwards: “It was fantastic.

“We were a bit nervous at the start because we did not know what they would be like but we know we are a good footballing side and that if we play how we can we can beat anybody.

“Once we settled down, we quickly got into the flow of the game but I was pleased with two goals because I thought it might just be a cheeky 1-0 win.”

Hirst gave York a first-half lead before fellow All Saints student McCormick scored the second from the spot with Godfrey happy to relinquish penalty-taking duties. The skipper added: “I normally take the penalties but my friend Joey offered to take that pressure off me before the game and I was delighted when he slotted it in.”

Godfrey also spoke about the overwhelming experience of playing in a 22,000-capacity Football League arena at the age of 13, saying: “It was unbelievable when we came out. The impact of all those seats made us feel like professionals.”

Manager Tony Wales paid his players a lavish tribute after the history-making game.

He said: “What the lads have achieved is unbelievable.

“They were worthy winners of a final that was played in the right spirit. Liam and Richard were fantastic in defence and probably the pick of our players, Jake Wright was also outstanding in midfield and Joey McCormick showed lots of confidence including stepping up to take a good penalty but everyone of them put a shift in.

“We were carrying a couple of knocks so I had to shuffle things around a couple of times but they all did their jobs well. I could not be any prouder of what they have achieved this season because the amount of graft and effort this lot put in is terrific.”

York schools’ secretary Ian Hutchinson, who started the ball rolling when he coached the team at under-11 level, was also grinning widely at the final whistle.

He said: “These lads have completely put York Schools football on the map.

“In the ten years I have been involved, we’ve not even come close to achieving this but, during each round, they performed well and got what they deserved.

“As secretary, I am very proud of the lads’ achievements and those of the managers Tony and Andy McCormick.”