Laurence Jackson School’s Under 15s beat last year’s winners- Acklam Grange- in the Cleveland School’s FA County Cup Final to make them the winners of the Simon Bailes Cup.

This is the first time that the Laurence Jackson team has won a county competition and the school is now building a new trophy cabinet in which to display their cup. Callum Martin and Paul Young, who play for the team, are also now on the books at recently-promoted Hartlepool United.

Simon Bailes Peugeot has sponsored the football tournament for the last three years as part of its continuing commitment to supporting community groups. Earlier this year Simon Bailes was recognised for his work with local sporting organisations after he was awarded the One North East Award for Business in Sport at a regional awards ceremony.

As well as providing the trophy, Simon Bailes Peugeot provides medals for both the winners, runners-up and the team of referees involved in the competition.

Managing director, Simon Bailes commented: “The Simon Bailes Cleveland County Schools FA Cup is always a fiercely fought out competition as everyone involved trains hard and wants to be crowned the winners. The team at Simon Bailes Peugeot continues to be passionate about the development of young people within our community and it is testament to the support of parents and teachers involved that competitions such as this are able to run. We are also delighted to see the Laurence Jackson team lift the trophy for the first time.”

Les Thomson, who teaches and organises sports tournaments at Laurence Jackson School, added: “To beat last year’s winners who are a tough team to play against is an outstanding achievement for the team. Everyone is extremely proud of the boys’ commitment to the competition and it is a real honour for them to have won the Simon Bailes Cup. The trophy’s so big that we’re getting a new cabinet built so that we can proudly display the results of many hours’ gruelling training and sheer hard work.”