Whitfield Juniors under-11s, near Dover, qualify for prestigious tournament at St George’s Park this weekend after victory at event at Butlin’s following shootout drama

An under-11s side have qualified for a prestigious tournament at the home of England’s national teams.

Whitfield Juniors will be involved in this Sunday’s ESF grand finale at St George's Park after they came out on top in a tournament held at Butlin’s, Bognor Regis.

“I’ve been with the team for about five years and this tops everything,” said Ben MacKenzie, who coaches the team alongside Eddie Reed and Dan Young.

“They really cannot wait. They’re buzzing.”

It comes after Whitfield, based near Dover, triumphed out of 21 sides at the ESF Butlins tournament in mid-May.

The real drama came for Whitfield in the final - a 12-11 shootout triumph after a goalless draw against Marlow Youth.

With Whitfield 9-8 behind on penalties, their last remaining player Charlie Turpin - who suffers with autism, ADHD and OCD - initially refused to take his spot-kick.

But Turpin eventually bravely did step up, finding the net, after the older brother of one of the team’s players spoke to him before Arthur Davies completed their win.

MacKenzie said: “It was such a team effort.

“Every player deserves a mention for the clean sheets, the chances created, supporting each other - especially in the moment with Charlie - and the heart and effort they showed.

“As coaches, we couldn’t have been prouder of the team.”

Whitfield also needed penalties to see off Roundshaw Colts 6-5 after a goalless draw in their semi-final.

MacKenzie said: “Hopefully, we will not have to handle another penalty shootout at the weekend!”

The side had earlier been victorious in their first three group-stage games with only the group winners progressing.

Zach Chapman bagged a brace in a 2-0 triumph, Davies got the game’s only goal in match two and Chapman was then again at the