Barking & Dagenham Finesse Cup

2025 Winners: Valence Primary School

THIS IS A 9-a-side knock-out tournament open to all schools in the borough with three or more forms of entry. We are grateful to Finesse Sports for their sponsorship of this season’s competition.

Group Stage (by 6th March)

Group A

  1. Monteagle
  2. Valence
  3. Grafton
  4. Rose Lane
  5. William Bellamy
  6. Rush Green

Group B

  1. Richard Alibon
  2. Beam
  3. Eastbury 
  4. Ripple 
  5. Manor Jnr
  6. Thames View

Group C

  1. Northbury
  2. Roding
  3. James Cambell
  4. William Ford
  5. Gascoigne
  6. Southwood

Venues: 1v6, 2v5, 3v4, 4v2, 5v1, 3v6, 4v5, 5v3, 6v2, 3v1, 5v6, 6v4, 1v2, 1v4, 2v3.

The top two go through, with the two best 3rd placed teams joining them. This will be decided by highest number of points. If points cannot determine the winner, the head-to-head game result will decide position. If still no outcome, the results (scoreline) against the top team will decide position. If still no outcome, result against 2nd placed team will decide position. Final option is an additional match to determine position.

Rules

  • Y6 Only
  • A size 4 football should be used.
  • Each half to be thirty minutes long.
  • As the first round is played on a mini-league basis, extra time and penalties should not be played.
  • Group standings will be decided as follows: 1) Points 2) Result between the two teams. If the teams are still tied, the position shall be shared.
  • All F.A. laws apply, including CRB/Safeguarding requirements.
  • Unlimited substitutes permitted. Rolling subs to be allowed.
  • Teachers to referee. Alternatively, a qualified referee may take charge but they must have been CRB checked. Parents without appropriate qualifications are not permitted to referee according to ESFA rules.
  • It is the responsibility of BOTH schools to arrange games. Please try and do this by email so that if a school is being difficult, there is a written record which can be used to adjudicate matches that aren’t played.
  • Players need shin guards.