This is a chance for my players to show what they can do, says Jack Parkinson

BROMLEY are on course to reach the final of the English Schools Inter-Regional Association Trophy on Wednesday night.



The under 15’s will play their counterparts from The Vale of White Horse, who hail from Oxfordshire, at Beckenham Town’s Eden Park Avenue ground, kicking off at 6:00pm.

A total number of 143 local Associations, from all over the United Kingdom have entered and Bromley, who wear black and blue coloured shirts, will meet either Newcastle, York or Warrington in the prestigious final if they are successful.

Bromley Schools have defeated Brent (1-0), Barking & Dagenham (4-0), Chelmsford & Mid Essex (5-2), Havering (4-0) and Barnet (1-0) en-route to the semi-finals.

The team are managed by Jack Parkinson, 22, who plays for Blue Square Bet (Conference) South side Welling United.

He is assisted by Colin Ball, and the team are coached by youngsters Ben Greenhalagh and Jack Kensington, who both play for the Wings.

“We’re all really looking forward to it,” said Parkinson, who has previously played for Tonbridge Angels and VCD Athletic and also coaches a youth team at Cray Wanderers.

“It should be a good test for us and the boys’ have worked really hard to get here, so let them enjoy it and see what happens.

“We know if we play to how we know we can, we can win the game.”

Parkinson, who ironically captained the Welling United side that beat Bromley 2-1 in Conference South at the weekend, is a highly-rated coach and says he doesn't get paid for this role and that he "enjoys it and I want to give something back to the game." 

He said: “The good thing with this competition is you get to play teams you don’t know anything about and that works both ways because it’s a representative side we don’t see the boys from one week to next but we do manage to get together for a session before each game to train and work on bits.

“Since we’ve started at under 13 we have had eight lads go to professional clubs and many progress to a better level of football which is what it’s all about.

“Colin Ball and Jack Kensington both help with the side and have been great in assisting achieving what we have done so far.

“Whatever happens Wednesday the boys and parents have been fantastic this season and this is a chance and an opportunity for them to show people what they can do.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Bromley v The Vale of White Horse
English Schools Inter-Association Trophy Under 15 – Semi-Final
Wednesday 7^th March 2012
Kick Off 6:00pm
At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1JL