YORK & District Schoolboys Under-11s are looking to follow in the footsteps of Ben Godfrey and bring national glory to the city for the first time since 2011 - and only the second time in the side's history.

The youngsters head to Liverpool FC's Melwood training ground tomorrow for the ESFA Premier League District Finals after having qualified as North East Champions back in November.

It is appropriate reward for a side who have enjoyed an excellent season, winning the Green Un Cup in January for the first time in three years, beating Scarborough 9-8 on penalties in a tense final, with keeper Jack Yates netting the all-important final spot kick.

York also enjoyed success in a round-robin tournament in April, during which they enjoyed a rare win over their Liverpool counterparts, winning 2-0 in a high-tempo game thanks to strikes from Alex Widdup and Kiam Brown.

The teams York will face in the group stage are the other regional winners Telford & Wrekin, Plymouth and Newham, with Liverpool and Sheffield among the teams who York could face if they make it through.

This is the first time York have qualified for a national final since 2011, when the U13s cohort beat Southampton to become national district school champions with midfielder Godfrey in the side.

The 20-year-old former Archbishop Holgate's pupil went on to sign professionally for then Premier League side Norwich City in 2016, before being loaned to Shrewsbury Town for the season just gone where he played a significant part in getting his team to Wembley and the play-off final.

In this season's regional final at Middlesbrough's academy,York came from behind to defeat East Northumberland 2-1 after emerging from the group stage unbeaten against Washington, Leeds, Chester-le-Street and Darlington to qualify for their first chance at winning the accolade in seven years.

The first round of fixtures will take place at 10.45am, when York will face Telford & Wrekin. The competition format has two nine-a-side leagues where each side will play each other once. The top two from each progress into knockout semi-finals and the final.

A spokesman for the club said: "It is an exciting opportunity for the U11s to play other regional winners.

"York will be hoping to use the experience of winning the Green Un Cup and the inspiration of Godfrey to compete against the best district sides in the country."

York schoolboys are looking for local businesses to sponsor new kits for the upcoming 2018/19 season. To help their volunteer-run, self-funded district football sides, email secretary@yorkschoolfootball.org.