Driffield sportsman and Bridlington School PE teacher and head of year, Rich Grice, helped lead the East Riding Schools’ U13 football team to the English Schools’ National Cup semi-final before losing at Sunderland.
East Riding have never reached the last four before, and although Rich was delighted with the cup run, he was disappointed with the 2-0 loss. Rich said: “I was gutted. We just didn’t show up, it was the worst we have played all season.
“The most disappointing thing is when you know you have a really good chance and you just don’t perform. It’s just a shame.
“But we have been really chuffed with our performances.
“We are very proud of all the players and we couldn’t have asked for anymore from them.
“But we are still in with a shout of the league and the Yorkshire Cup.
“We had one Driffield player in the side, Adam Naylor. He’s played really well for us and scored some goals, including two against Liverpool.”
To reach the semi finals they have had to play and beat sides from all over the country. Along the way they have beaten York (3-0), Leeds (6-0), Hull (3-1), Liverpool (3-0), Aston, Erdington and Saltley (3-1).
In the other semi final were Bedfordshire and Maidstone.
Rich, who helped run the team with Sam Caley and Ben Whitehead, plays football for Driffield EI and in the summer plays cricket with Driffield.