Gareth Southgate Visits Minterne Footballers

The recently crowned regional npower Kids Cup Champions, Minterne Community Junior School from here in Sittingbourne (and supported by Gillingham FC), got the opportunity of a lifetime on Thursday (18th April) when they were put through their paces by former England defender Gareth Southgate.

During the campaign the school have seen off competition from clubs including Bristol Rovers, Plymouth and Wycombe to book their place in the National Finals of the Kids Cup, taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 18th May before the League Two Play-Off Final.

Gareth was joined by representatives from the Football League sponsors npower, and took the opportunity to meet the entire school in assembly where he answered numerous questions about his playing and managerial career.

He then passed on some valuable tips and techniques during a training session with the team; the session included footwork, movement and passing drills and finished with a game which Gareth himself took part in.

After the training session Gareth posed for photos and signed shirts and boots for all the team and their parents/guardians.

106.9 SFM wish the team the very best of luck at Wembley where they will face the school representing Morecambe FC.