Over the weekend of Friday, April 17th, 45 students from Years 8, 9, and 10 embarked on an unforgettable three-day football tour to Manchester.

The trip began with a six-hour coach journey filled with excitement and team spirit. Upon arrival, students enjoyed a fun evening of bowling before heading to the hotel for a relaxed night and some well-earned rest ahead of their busy schedule.

Saturday started early with a 6:15 am wake-up call. After breakfast, the group travelled to Macclesfield FC for a series of fixtures. All three teams delivered outstanding performances, securing victories across the board:

The Year 8 team ran out 6–1 winners, with goals from Jacob (2), Nathan, Blake, Rory, and Jude.
The Year 9 team battled to a hard-fought 1–0 win, thanks to a well-taken back-post header from Jack R.
The Year 10 team completed the clean sweep with a 4–2 victory, featuring two goals each from Alfie and Olly H.

Following the matches, the group headed to the Etihad Stadium for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. With a huge match on the horizon, the experience felt even more special. Students were captivated as they explored the stadium’s history, viewed the trophy collection, visited the changing rooms, walked through the tunnel to pitch side, and even staged their own press conference in the media suite.

The evening continued back at the hotel with a quiz night and a lively watch along of Chelsea vs. Manchester United, rounding off a fantastic day.

On Sunday, the group travelled to Liverpool to visit Anfield. The tour provided more memorable moments, including incredible views of the famous murals surrounding the stadium that celebrate iconic players and managers.

The weekend concluded with the ultimate highlight: a return to the Etihad Stadium for a live Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal. It was an incredible occasion, full of drama and atmosphere - a fitting finale to the trip. There were definitely a few unhappy faces and "fake claps" from the undercover Arsenal fans in the group. Sorry, boys!

Overall, it was an outstanding tour, filled with success on the pitch and unforgettable experiences off it. These memories will surely stay with the students for years to come. The staff were extremely proud of the students’ conduct, enthusiasm, and the exemplary way they represented the school throughout the trip.