23 May 2025 • 5 min read
Local rail company Trenitalia c2c and Southend United Football Club paid a surprise visit to Bournes Green Junior school on Thursday to present the girls’ football team with a special commemorative Wembley final kit.
c2c and Southend United’s Kevin Maher and Nathan Ralph paid a surprise visit to Bournes Green Junior School in Thorpe Bay on Thursday afternoon (22 May) to present the girls’ Under 11s football team with a special c2c-sponsored Southend United kit which they will wear in the National League Trust final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 1 June.
Bournes Green girls’ football team, who will be representing their local National League side, Southend United Football Club, have made it through to the Wembley final having won both the National League Trust local schools’ tournament and the regional competition earlier this year.
The 6-a-side final will be played against AFC Fylde (winners of the northern region) at 13:00 on Sunday 1 June at the world-famous home of football, Wembley Stadium, ahead of the National League Promotion Play-Off final between Oldham Athletic and Southend United at 15:00.
Bournes Green Schools’ headteacher, David Denchfield, said:
“It was an absolute honour to have the Southend United Head Coach, Kevin Maher and Club Captain, Nathan Ralph, gatecrash our assembly – the look on the children’s faces, and those of my staff, will live long in the memory.
“I am so grateful to c2c for arranging and sponsoring the girls’ stylish new kits, and to everyone at Southend United for coming to visit us having arrived home from their fantastic penalty shoot-out win at Forest Green Rovers in the early hours of this morning.”
Mr Denchfield added:
“I still can’t quite believe that the girls will be playing on the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium next Sunday before the men’s team take to the pitch, it’s going to be a fantastic occasion for the people and City of Southend, and I just can’t wait to be there.
“The girls have worked extremely hard under the guidance of our brilliant sports coaches Mr Cunningham and Neville Hickton and with the support of Ms Rich, and I know they will be doing everything they can to bring the trophy back to Southend.”
Commenting, c2c’s Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said:
“As Southend United’s front of shirt sponsor, c2c is delighted to be providing Bournes Green girls’ football team with a special kit for their very special day.
“My team and I – many of whom will be at Wembley cheering on both teams – would like to wish the girls the very best of luck, and we are keeping everything crossed for a Bournes Green/Southend United double!
“Go and bring the trophies home!”
Southend United Head Coach, Kevin Maher, added:
“It was an absolute privilege and honour to be able to present the Bournes Green Junior School girls’ football team with their special Southend United Wembley final shirts.
“To be playing on the biggest stage in world football at just 10 years old is simply incredible, and testament to the dedication of the sports staff at the school who have worked so hard to get them to the final.
“Everyone at Southend United wishes the team the very best of luck, and we look forward to cheering the girls on ahead of our play-off final match with Oldham.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net