THE Jubilee Shield is one of the oldest primary schools football competitions in the country and St Francis have waited longer than most to get their hands on the coveted prize.

But after a near four decade wait, the Super Saints can finally get their named engraved on the old shield.

St Francis, whose only success came in 1974/75, beat defending champions St Peter’s – and that was after they had lost to them in the opening group match. In fact, the eventual winners were just 30 seconds from going out but Charlie Elwood’s last-gasp goal – following a clever short corner routine with skipper Aaron Treanor – gave them a 2-1 win against Audley in their second group game.

The Saints didn’t look back as they beat Lammack 3-0 in the last group match, edged a 1-0 victory over Redeemer and beat St Peter’s by the same scoreline in the final – star player Nathan Shaw getting both goals in the knockout stages.

“I joked to the head teacher that I can now retire a happy man,” said coach Simon Wootton. “The boys were absolutely fantastic and are a credit to the school.

“This team was made up by mainly year five players and the whole squad is very talented.

“In fact picking eight from a bigger squad of 12 or 13 players was very difficult. We seem to have a very talented bunch at the moment.

“Hopefully we won’t have to wait so long for our next success.”

The winning team included captain Aaron Treanor, keeper Mattie Holden, twins Charlie and Owen Elwood, Cameron Austin, Levi Walker, Robert Marsh and Nathan Shaw who is on the books at Blackburn Rovers.

The competition was organised by Andrew Mercer, Blackburn with Darwen School Games Organiser.

Following two qualifying rounds the previous week, eight schools took part in the final which was held at St Bede’s School.

The teams were split in to two groups with St Peters, Lammack, Audley and St Francis in Group One and Blackburn the Redeemer, St Pauls, Hawthorns and St Annes in Group Two.

St Peters won their group with seven points with St Francis second with six.

Redeemer and St Pauls finished with identical points and goal difference so it took the toss of a coin to see who were winners and who were runners-up.

Redeemeer called correctly and topped the group but narrowly lost 1-0 to St Francis while St Peters beat St Paul’s 2-1.

St Paul’s went on to finish in third place after beating Redeemer 1-0 with a Golden Goal in their third/fourth place play-off.

Winners St Francis will now represent the borough in the Lancashire Schools final in Blackpool in the New Year.

“This was a very enjoyable event and it was great to see not only the high standard of football on display but also how much this competition means to the players. And the teachers!” said Mercer.

“All games were played in a really sportsman-like spirit and the youngsters involved were a credit to their respective schools.”