School squad scored big win at Wembley

3:05pm Monday 21st July 2008

A football team's reward for carrying off a trophy at Wembley was - cheeseburgers and chips.

Manager Malcolm Jones promised the players from Bayswater Middle School, in Headington, Oxford, that if they won the Smiths Crisps six-a-side tournament, he would treat them to a meal at McDonald's.

And after winning the final, the eight boys made sure he kept his word.

More than 30,000 spectators and millions of television viewers saw Bayswater beat a side from Dereham, in Norfolk, 4-1 in May 1988.

More than 10,000 teams from across the country had taken part in the world's largest football competition.

Our sister paper, the Oxford Star, reported: "When the school returns after the half-term break, there will be a special assembly in honour of the team.

"A video of the final will be shown and the whole school will probably join in singing their special song, The Bayswater Boys, written by headmaster Peter Woollacott and music teacher Alison Monaghan."

We were reminded of the school's triumph by team captain Chris Walton, of Bankside, Headington Quarry.

He writes: "After winning the Oxford City, Oxfordshire and South West England competitions, the Bayswater boys, aged 10 and 11, represented the region in the national finals.

"After defeating the north-west winners, Knowle, to reach the final, the lads comprehensively outplayed Dereham.

"They are still, I believe, the only Oxfordshire school to bring back this coveted trophy."

Among the Bayswater goalscorers was Jermaine McSporran, who went on to forge a career as a professional footballer.

After being signed from Oxford City by Wycombe Wanderers, he went on to play for Walsall, Chester, Doncaster and Boston, before returning to his roots, turning out last season for Oxford City.

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