It might not have quite the impact of Chelsea boss José Mourinho’s coming return to England for Inter Milan’s Champions League match at Old Trafford, but The John Lyon School’s big game in Manchester next week will be no less keenly fought.

The U15 squad at The John Lyon School (JLS), Harrow, have battled through the early rounds of the prestigious Rensburg Sheppards ISFA Cup, only to find themselves up against their old headmaster’s new school, Manchester Grammar, in the semi-finals.

The JLS boys are now eagerly looking forward to their trip north next Wednesday (28 January), even though they are the clear underdogs against Manchester Grammar, which is a much bigger school.

Kevin Riley, current Headmaster of The John Lyon School (JLS), said: “We managed to see off Bolton School in the quarter-finals and they were quite highly rated, so Manchester Grammar holds no fears for our team.

“Of course the fact that my predecessor at JLS, Dr Christopher Ray, is now at the helm there adds an extra piquancy to the fixture – but it’s a very friendly rivalry!”

Dr Ray moved to Manchester Grammar as Head – or ‘High Master’ – in 2004. Mr Riley started at JLS in January 2005.

The boys in the U15 squad are too young to have been pupils at JLS under Dr Ray. However, a coachload of old boys are also making the trip for the game and will be looking forward to seeing their old headmaster.

The Rensburg Sheppard U15 Cup, run by the Independent Schools Football Association, is the most prestigious cup for this age group. There was plenty of excitement for JLS in the early stages. The team saw off Aldenham School after a penalty shoot-out, while their victory against Westminster School came after extra time. This earned the team its quarter-final home match against Bolton School.

As at other top-flight independent schools, such as Harrow and Eton, football has always been the main winter sport at The John Lyon School, rather than rugby.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of The John Lyon School

MEDIA CONTACTS: Mr Kevin Riley on 020 8872 8400