A girls team from St John’s Walham Green and a mixed team from Honeywell Junior School qualified for the event at the home of Watford FC after being successful in their respective Foundation area finals, getting a pass to the national phase.

Grouped with similar Premier League clubs’ representatives, including teams from Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle United and Norwich City, St John’s Walham Green won their debut game, drew their second and lost the final two. Honeywell Junior School, meanwhile, won their first three matches and drew one, conceding zero goals in the process.

At the knockout stage, our young Blues from Honeywell successfully overcame Manchester City 1-0 in a tight game and progressed through to the final where, after a valiant effort, they lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace. Both teams displayed some great football, fair play, teamwork and did Chelsea Foundation proud.

Dion Allen, Chelsea Foundation’s schools education coordinator, said: ‘Both teams were a huge credit to their schools and were fantastic representatives of Chelsea FC and the Foundation.

‘They embraced the occasion and gave their absolute all. Our girls team were knocked out of an extremely competitive group, but this did not stop them from supporting our mixed team in the final and other teams throughout the competition, which was a fantastic example of the Primary Stars value, ‘Be Connected’. Overall, the experience was one that will live long in the students’ memories, I am sure!’

To find out more about Chelsea Foundation Premier League Primary Stars programme, click here.