Local school invited to play at Albion training ground ahead of cup final
Teenagers from a Hove school were given the opportunity to train like an Albion star before their big cup final fixture.
Young players at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove were invited to train at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing as part of their preparations for the English Schools’ FA Under-18s Cup Final.
The Under-18s squad, made up of Cardinal Newman students from Year 11 and 12, came to train and play on the Community Pitch at the training ground, where the squad was put through its paces ahead of the big game.
The group took part in various drills and training exercises before finishing the day off with an inter-squad friendly.
The squad won six games on their way to the cup final, which is due to be played at Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium.
Cardinal Newman Catholic School is one of the biggest schools in Brighton and Hove, educating more than 2500 local children and young people.
As well as being a key part of the Hove community, Cardinal Newman have another strong link with the Albion.
Mark McGhee, former Albion manager who won promotion to the Championship with the Seagulls in 2004, is a school governor at Cardinal Newman.
McGhee said: “It was a fantastic gesture by Albion to allow the Cardinal Newman squad to make their final preparations at their magnificent Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing.
“If the players needed one last boost, then having the privilege of using world class facilities was it.
“Thank you to everyone at the Albion for facilitating this. Cardinal Newman will do the Seagulls and the county proud.”
This article was written when our name was Albion in the Community. As of August 1 2023, we are the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation.