A new match-day dedicated to girls’ football meant that Bolton School’s annual Football Festival for local primary schools ran over three nights this year rather than the usual two. In total, 1200 young people took part in small-sided football games over the course of the event: 57 teams comprising of Year 3 and 4 pupils on night one; 62 girls’ teams, 16 female referees and one WSL Everton Women’s player on night two; and over 60 teams on the final evening of action, made up of 40 Year 5 and 6 teams in the A competition and 20 Year 5/6 teams in the B competition.
The hugely popular event, which was attended by hundreds of families, provided much fun and also some serious competition. The girls’ final saw St Andrew’s Over Hulton draw 1-1 with Eatock and the teams deciding to share the trophy rather than go to sudden-death penalties. On the final match-day, Red Lane beat St Brendan’s 2-1 in the A Competition final, whilst Egerton and Mytham competed in the B Competition final with Egerton running out 1-0 winners.
The Festival is organised by Keith Branagan, former Bolton Wanderers' goalkeeper and football coach at Bolton, along with the Bolton Sports Alliance. This year the games were refereed by players from Bolton School's Year 8, 9 and 10 football squads as well as volunteer girls from Ladybridge High School, Thornleigh and Bolton School Girls' Division. The event also runs courtesy of the Estates and Grounds teams at Bolton School and teaching staff.
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