Winners: Haverstock School took the Under-14s cup and are now on course again as Under-15s

Published: 8 October, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

A TEAM of footballing heroes from Haverstock School are back on the glory trail after they kick started the defence of the biggest trophy that they have ever won with a seven-goal smashing. 

Pupils from the secondary school in Chalk Farm hit our front page in May when they beat Stanley High from Southport on Merseyside in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out to win the Under-14s English Schools’ FA PlayStation Schools’ Cup. 

Held at Reading FC’s Madejski Stadium, the match was screened live on the New Journal’s website as Haverstock came back from losing an early goal to win 4-3 on penalties. 

Manager and PE teacher Jamie Histed, who grew up in Chalk Farm, says that he “is very confident” that the boys can repeat their historic feat – especially after they ran out 7-0 winners away at West London’s Putney Ark in the opening round of the competition last Monday. 

“The boys looked sharp. As soon as the first whistle blew you could see they were as hungry as ever,” he said. 

“Our biggest challenge will be keeping the boys grounded. Every game has got to be treated like a cup final and taken seriously. 

“I’m confident we can win the cup again as Under-15s. They have the experience of winning it under their belt, and if they can handle the pressure of being the defending champions then it will take something special to beat them.” 

Charlie Clarke stole the show against Putney Ark with a stunning hat-trick, while Dean Shaughnessy bagged a brace. Bailey Johnston and J’neil Bennett were also on target in a resounding victory that held extra significance for their coach.

“When you’re the cup holders, you’re the team that everybody wants to beat so the first game was always going to be a real banana skin of a fixture,” said Jamie. “Having won it last year to go out at the first hurdle this time around would have been an embarrassment. But the boys looked confident and were ruthless when they needed to be.” 

Charlie’s not quite a secret weapon!

Charlie Clarke and Jamie Histed

ONE of the secrets of Haverstock’s cup success in May was undoubtedly star striker Charlie Clarke, who bagged a phenomenal 65 goals in the school year. 

The hotshot was at it again against Putney Ark as he opened his account for the new season with a tremendous treble. With that in mind, there was little surprise when the news broke on Monday that the highly-rated 14-year-old had signed a one-year schoolboy contract with League Two side Barnet. 

Having already boasted the likes of John Barnes and Joe Cole in their ranks, there was even less surprise to find out that the coaches at Haverstock School played a key role in putting Clarke on the professional map. 

“When he came to us he was playing as a defender,” recalled PE teacher Jamie Histed. “But I said straight away that with his pace and power he should be an attacker. We put him up front in his first game for us and he ended up scoring a hat-trick. I’m made up to see him sign his contract.”