Harriers take their opponents to school
Kidderminster Harriers Under-12s have reason to cheer after winning the England Schools Football Champions of Champions tournament at Warwick University.
The youngsters could have been seen as slight underdogs entering the competition with six new additions to the side needing time to gel with their new team-mates.
However, Harriers emerged champions of champions after some fantastic football and individual performances.
The team was assembled by manager Clint Hughes, brother of former Albion and Kidderminster legend Lee Hughes, at the start of last season.
They have been successful throughout each of the three tournaments they have entered, winning two and finishing runners-up in the other.
As winners of the ESF Festival of Football tournament at Butlins, Harriers were invited to compete in the ESF Champions of Champions tournament.
Eight teams were split into two groups with the winners of each section making it to the final.
The Harriers won two from their three games, including an impressive 4-0 victory over Arsenal Soccer School coached by former Albion player Mark Angel.
The final saw the Harriers face Loass FC and Joshua Parker fired them ahead when he coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, but Loass hit back to equalise and take the clash to penalties.
Harriers kept their nerve, with Luke Bastable netting the winning spot-kick. Manager Hughes was delighted with the success.
He said: "I am very happy for the lads for what they have achieved, but for me the most important thing is that they carry on improving.
"Success for me is when I see them signing professional contracts for Kidderminster or another club."
Harriers' Jack Yates won the goal of the tournament award courtesy of a superb 35-yard strike.
