Care leavers show they are up for the cup as Molineux hosts finals

Young care leavers took to the hallowed turf of Molineux Stadium recently as the City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolves Foundation hosted the finals of this year's Care Leavers Championship Cup.

Eight teams from across the West Midlands took part in the annual football tournament recently, making this year’s event not only one of the largest in the UK specifically for those with care experience but the first to be hosted at a Premier League stadium.

The City of Wolverhampton Council's own team, The Wolverhampton Warriors, had the pleasure of using the home team dressing room to prepare for their matches, and made it through to the final, only to be pipped to the cup by the Warwickshire Legends. Players from all eight teams received attendance medals, with the winners’ trophy being presented by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Linda Leach.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "It was fabulous that so many care experienced young people had the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf at the Molineux Stadium like their footballing heroes."

One Wolverhampton Warriors player said the event was "able to make my dreams come true playing at a Premier League stadium", calling it "life changing" and "an amazing memory that will never leave me”. Another commented: "Even though we didn’t win it was still a major accomplishment and the fact it was at the Molineux as well - what a moment for all of us!"

Wolverhampton Warriors receive their Care Leavers Championship Cup 2024 runners-up trophy from the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach.

Winners of the Care Leavers Championship Cup 2024, Warwickshire Legends, celebrate with the winners trophy in front of the player’s tunnel at Molineux.