Football: First XI end the season on a high

The first XI have ended the 2025/26 season on a real high which, for the Upper Sixth players in the team, marks a memorable end to their footballing time at King’s.

In the space of two weeks, they have won two regional titles and enjoyed a semi-final finish in the annual Barry Burns ISFA Tournament. 

On last day of Lent term, the team won the Cheshire Cup with a 1-0 victory against a strong Wilmslow High side.

Just a few days earlier, they played in an extremely close Chester and District final against Upton High. Ending 1-1 after normal time, the game went to penalties and, in a nail-biting finale, King’s won 5-4 to lift the trophy. 

The two regional titles only a week after a successful run in the annual Barry Burns ISFA tournament saw King’s progress unbeaten to the semi-finals. The 8s tournament, which is played between a number of independent schools in the North of England, was held Queen Ethelburga’s in York where King’s lost on penalties at the semi-final stage. 

First XI coach Danny Ortiz, congratulated the team on their strong performances.

He said: “The last two weeks of term have been a fitting end to the season for the first XI. For some of the players, this was the last time they will play in a King’s jersey and I am thrilled their final matches ended in such a memorable way. 

“I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching this team and it has been a pleasure to see them develop over the last couple of years. Reaching the semi-finals unbeaten in the Barry Burns tournament, then winning two regional cups in the space of a couple of weeks is a superb achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.”