12:30pm Thursday 18th March 2010
By Chris Hewett
A school football team from Bushey has beaten all odds by making the final of a national competition for a second year running.
The Year 9 Queen's School team were seen by many as underdogs, in the 831-team competition, but they secured their place in this years final at Premier League ground Craven Cottage last Friday.
This came via a semi-final win over a Croydon private school team, managed by ex-Crystal Palace pro Steve Kember.
Team manager Keith Mahon said: “It has been an emotional roller coaster and we are really looking forward to the final.
“The boys have been impeccable both on and off the pitch and this has been their reward.
“To get to one national final is amazing but to have got to two is unheard of.”
The boys narrowly missed out in last years, final played at Old Trafford, but they have worked hard, winning 20 games to get to the same stage this year.
Among the national schools taking part were many private schools with full-time coaches while the Queen's boys turned up for games in their second hand kit.
Team captain for three years running, Nathan Osaji, 13, said: “It is brilliant, I'm really lucky to captain such a great side.
“We're strong both attacking and defending. It was brilliant beating a team managed by an ex-pro because they had some academy boys.
“We're so excited about the final, we have all trained hard and everyone is really committed.”
A date is yet to be set for the final but Mr Mahon says the boys have set this goal all season and they are determined not to come away as runners up.
For now though they can celebrate their success.
Left back Michael Wood, 14, said: “It all feels a bit surreal.
“It was so exciting to make the final but it was even better that everyone expected us to lose in the semi.”
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