Gillingham’s representatives at the Utilita Kids Cup southern finals reached the knockout stages as they played for a place at Wembley.

Fairview Community Primary School’s boys’ team clinched a place at the regional finals with a win at the Gillingham FC Utilita Cup earlier this year, success which led to them representing the Football League club in the area finals at Swindon Town’s football academy on Thursday.

A semi-final defeat meant Fairview missed out on a place at Wembley in the finals but the team did the Gills and Kent proud.

Ten teams played at Swindon’s Foundation Park for a place in the finals at England’s national stadium. Fairview - representing the Gills - were in a group that consisted of Bromley, MK Dons, Newport County and hosts Swindon.

The Gills drew their opening game against Bromley 1-1 and then came from behind to deservedly beat Swindon 2-1 in their second group match.

A narrow 1-0 defeat to MK Dons meant they needed a result against Newport and they won that match 4-1, in a game where they hit the woodwork eight times!

The Gills finished second in their group and came up against AFC Wimbledon in the semi-finals, losing 2-0 to a side that contained three Chelsea academy players.

In the final, Cheltenham beat Wimbledon on penalties 3-1 after that match ended in a 2-2 draw.

The school said: “What a fabulous day. Some incredible football on display from our lads and their teamwork was second to none.

“We faced a very strong and talented AFC Wimbledon team. Our boys started well and stood strong but three Chelsea FC academy players in the team proved too much.

“A 2-0 defeat was a very respectable result against such quality opposition.”

This season the annual football competition, for under-11s, has seen more than 20,000 boys and girls from across 2,500 schools take to the pitch to represent the 72 EFL clubs across England and Wales, bolstering the existing ties between clubs and their local communities.

Regional winners will represent their clubs during the Football League’s Wembley finals, including the EFL Trophy final and the play-off matches.

The competitions have been the birthplace of some of the biggest names in football including Germany and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, England and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, and Barcelona and Lionesses goalkeeper, Ellie Roebuck.

EFL chief exec Trevor Birch said: “The Utilita Kids and Girls Cup continues to develop key partnerships and productive relationships between Clubs, CCOs EFL in the Community and their local schools.

“The commitment from clubs in helping to inspire young people to live healthy and active lives, firmly demonstrates the important role that football plays in our communities throughout England and Wales.”