Wealdstone Under-12s were crowned ESF Championship winners at St George's Park, the home of the England national team last weekend.

The team had qualified for the finals after a sterling performance in the regional festival in Minehead earlier this year, to ultimately net one of the most prestigious youth football titles in the country.

The ESF tournaments have been running since 1989 and hosts seven annual regional events every year, where teams can qualify for the final competition at St George's.

The young Stones team faced Welwyn Pegasus, Harborne Youth, FITC Woodford Green and Arsenal SS Lincolnshire in the grand final, and sealed the victory in a nailbiting final round of fixtures.

They went into the fourth and final match of the day one point ahead of Welwyn, and a narrow 3-2 win over Woodford Green, coupled with their rival's 0-0 draw with third-placed Harborne, was enough to give them the title, having won three and drawn one of their games.

Wealdstone Youth's Jackie Owens said: “This year’s ESF Festival has exceeded our expectations, and we can safely say the whole team has had a great time, from beginning to end.

"To get to the Grand Finale at St George’s Park and compete against the best of the best has given the kids an incredible experience that they will remember for years to come.

"Thanks to the organisers for giving us the opportunity to be part of this great football tournament."