Riverside College football team are North West champions for the second year running.

Following on from their great success last year, the Riverside College football team have continued their winning streak by finishing top of the North West league and for the second year are heading to Bath for the National finals in March.

Last year, foundation students from Riverside College were victorious at the national finals of the Pan Ability tournament and returned to the College as champions.  This year the students, who for the first time entered two teams in the regional event hope to follow in the footsteps of last year’s team and win the cup.

The final winning game of the North West event against Lancaster and Morecombe College took place at the Stobart Stadium earlier this month and ended in penalties with Riverside College winning 4-1.  This was testament to the Riverside College goalkeeper Ellis Snape who has recently been selected to play for the England Learning Difficulties team and has been training with the squad each month at St George’s Park National Football Centre in Staffordshire.

Phil Haden, Head Coach for the team and Riverside College tutor said, “I am so proud of the team qualifying for the national finals for the second successive year.  Congratulations to our goalkeeper Ellis Snape who has been selected to represent England.  It is a fantastic achievement for him”

“Everyone who played for both teams worked together to produce excellent football. The boys were a credit to Riverside College. They played with great enthusiasm and passion and I am looking forward to taking them to the National finals to hopefully retain the tile.”

Jane Baker, Head of Foundation Studies at Riverside College said, “I am extremely proud of the students and the staff.  They achieved an outstanding sporting victory whilst setting the bar high for all of the other colleges by organising such an impressive event at the stadium.  Our thanks go to the Widnes Vikings for kindly allowing us to use their venue”.