Repton has a fine and long tradition in football; indeed matches were first played against Shrewsbury and Malvern more than 110 years ago.
Football is played as the major sport in the Michaelmas Term and the School runs eleven teams: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U16 A and B, U15A and B, and U14 A , B and C. Fixtures take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays against both other independent and local schools. The 1st XI and U16A teams play in the County Cup and the 1st XI, U15A and U14A teams play in the English Schools’ Cup (ESFA). In addition the 1st XI plays in the Boodles ISFA Cup and the U15 team plays in the Rensburg Sheppards ISFA Cup.
Director of Football Coaching Tom Statham, a Manchester United Academy Coach, has introduced a 12 month football coaching programme. In addition to regular fixtures against other schools, we have recently played matches against club academies including Manchester United, Cambridge United and Walsall. There are also two development squads (senior and junior) which train and play fixtures throughout the school year. We have strong links with local academies, with several of our students connected to professional football clubs. Individual training programs are drawn up for such players.
Repton has twelve pitches and they have been kindly acknowledged by many of our opposition schools as the best on the circuit. Certainly the 1st XI pitch, with the School as its backdrop, is a magnificent facility and regularly hosts the annual match between the Northern and Southern Independent Schools, as is the case in 2009. Last season we also hosted an Academy fixture between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
While there is a demanding schedule for the School teams, the remaining boys also enjoy a full programme of internal matches, playing each week in the Michaelmas term in an inter-house competition.
Football has also become a popular sport with the girls at Repton. They have regular coaching sessions and matches in the Lent term. We also enter national 11-a-side and 6-a-side competitions. In 2009 our senior team became the ISFA Girls champions for the first time.
Matt Carrington
Master i/c Football