Hednesford Town Football Club are pleased to announce we will be hosting the final game in the hummel Centenary Shield 2023, on Friday 28th April 2023.
The game will see England U18s Schoolboys Vs Wales U18s Schoolboys, face off against each other on the Friday evening, with a 7pm Kick Off and gates opening at 5.15pm.
The match will be held at the RACE Stadium, Keys Park Road, Hednesford, Cannock, WS12 2DZ, on Friday 28th April 2023
7pm Kick Off and gates opening at 5.15pm.
The SAFIB Centenary shield, which was first contested in 1973, is a competitive international competition between under 18 schoolboy squads from across the home nations. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland all play each other in a round robin format and the team with the most points at the end of the tournament will lift the historic trophy. England last lifted the trophy back in 2017 and the 2023 squad will be going all out to try and replicate this victory.
This will the final time that the England team will walk out in their coveted England kit in 2023. This year’s Nike kit has been provided by official ESFA kit suppliers, Pro:Direct and features the Utilita logo across the front of shirt. With the energy company’s brand fast becoming synonymous with front of shirt sponsorship across all levels of football, the England boys will be proud to be associated with such fantastic sponsors of the ESFA’s international programme.
ESFA Chair, Stuart Botham said, “I am delighted to be heading to Staffordshire, the base for the ESFA’s HQ, to watch this final England U18 Schoolboy fixture, this April. Hednesford Town have been incredibly supportive of hosting this fixture at the RACE Stadium and I am hoping hosting this fixture will create a buzz in and around the local area.
The ESFA’s international programme benefits from fantastic sponsorship from a number of big-name sponsors and their invaluable support allows us to create memorable opportunities for all of our England Schoolboys during their time representing their country for the ESFA. I hope they get the most from this fixture in Hednesford and look forward to welcoming football fans from near and far to join us for this momentous occasion”
Hednesford Town Chairmen, Graham Jones & Hayden Dando said, “We’re over the moon to bring international football to the RACE Stadium. We have worked very hard in the background to deliver such collaborations, and this will be a great way for all fans to sign out for the season. Its a unique opportunity to watch the stars of tomorrow, and its great to enable such talent coming to Keys Park. It’s a honour and pleasure to welcome an England & Welsh Team alongside their governing bodies to the home of the Mighty Pitmen. See you all at the game”.
The ESFA is hoping to see a bumper crowd for home international matches in 2023, with a view to creating a fantastic and memorable atmosphere and experience for the young three lions.