Ian Wright and Callum Wilson surprise Winchester school with top prize

A group of budding footballers from The Westgate School will have a masterclass with some of the England Men’s football team thanks to a competition run by M&S Food and the England FA.

They found out that they had taken the top prize during a live link-up with the FA’s Lions’ Den – hosted by influencer Josh Denzel and former England and Arsenal player Ian Wright on Thursday, November 24.

The students, who thought they were joining the broadcast to show their support for the England team, were already brimming with excitement as they got to put questions to the panel - which included Newcastle forward Callum Wilson.

Both Wilson and Wright gave tips on handling pressure and recalled their favourite goals.

Students Harry Hopkins and Jonny Jones with head of PE Rob Wylie (Image: The Westgate School)

In fact, one of the students even got Wilson to agree to dedicate a special celebration to the school should he score for Southgate's side in Qatar.

But the room fell briefly silent when Wright and Denzel revealed the true reason they had been gathered in the sports hall.

Jonny Jones and Harry Hopkins, both 14, have played football since they were kids and line up together for Littleton at the weekends. They said: "It was a massive surprise and we had absolutely no idea. I didn't think we'd ever get an opportunity like that."

Students Harry Hopkins and Jonny Jones with head of PE Rob Wylie (Image: Newsquest)

Jonny said he's most looking forward to meeting Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, who has been a key figure in England's impressive tournament runs of late.

"He's just an absolute unit at the back," he added. "Like a brick wall."

Harry said he had only been watching the show the other night. "To know that they could hear and see us was just unreal," he said.

Rob Wylie, head of PE at the school, has already nabbed himself a seat on the coach to England's base at St George's Park.

He said: "I've known for about three weeks and trying to keep it quiet has been really tough. We've been building up the excitement for this, which is an amazing opportunity to be able to speak to the England team live from Qatar. Callum Wilson and Ian Wright are absolute legends, and that's enough of a prize in itself, so throwing in the masterclass is the amazing icing on the cake for the pupils.

Only 15 lucky students will be able to make the trip, which will take place in February or March, meaning those hoping to book a place will have to be on their best behaviour. 

"We have so many kids playing football at school, in any year group I have 30 or 40 students training which is fantastic," He added.

"We've narrowed it down to this group here, who are all incredibly committed to the sport, so having to narrow it down even further is going to be really tricky because they're all worthy pupils. 

"But for those who do go, oh my god, what an experience. It's a prize that money can't buy. Meeting those players off the back of what we hope will be a really successful world cup will be an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives."

The competition ran during the summer where M&S shoppers nominated their local school or grassroots football club to win the unrivalled experience. 

All customers had to do was buy a product featuring the retailer’s health seal of approval, the ‘Eat Well’ flower. Every product bought was an entry into the competition.

Playing on the school’s behalf was teacher, Jacqui Croucher, who was "thrilled" to find out she had won.

Jacqui said: “I’ve shopped at M&S Food for years, so it was simple for me to enter, and I always try and eat healthily anyway so the competition was an added bonus. When I got the call to say I had won it was amazing and the fact that I work at the school is even better. The students can’t wait to train with some of their heroes – and you never know they may be world champions by then! I'll be going with the students on the day, just so I can see their faces light up as they meet the players.”

Jacqui Croucher speaking to the BBC (Image: The Westgate School)

Marketing director of M&S Food, Hospitality and Masterbrand, Sharry Cramond said: “We are absolutely delighted to give this amazing prize as part of our partnership with the England football teams. Football is on a real high in the country at the moment and we are proud to be on the journey with the sport.

“Our Eat Well products aim to make families healthier for the next generation by simply using the Eat Well flower to signpost what products are healthy choices. All customers have to do is follow the flower. Through our partnership with the FA, we aim to highlight the importance of healthy eating and bring to life positive healthy eating messages for kids through Eat Well and the England teams.”

The Westgate School will meet and have a masterclass with some of their heroes in Spring 2023.