West Ham United Under-16s Girls have won the right to represent England this Sunday after claiming the Tesco Cup English final last weekend.
The young Hammers won 3-0 against Cambridge City Girls in last Sunday's final at Pride Park, Derby, having knocked Manchester City out in the semi-finals with a 1-0 success. The United Kingdom final - against the top teams from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - will take place at the Reebok Stadium home of Bolton Wanderers.
West Ham manager Jim Maycock said: "We are just so proud of the girls. They have worked so hard all season and next week going to the UK finals with the Tesco Cup as the English national champions is nothing short of what they deserve."
Shadai Miller was voted the player of the tournament, while Danielle Robertson was selected as best forward and Laura Picton as top goalkeeper.
The Hammers competed at county and then regional level in a bid to reach the national final and now have the chance for glory at the UK final. More than 3,700 teams entered the 2009/10 Tesco Cup competition and just 12 teams across the age groups -U13 boys, U14 girls, U16 girls - progressed to the National final.
The Tesco Cup is part of a wider commitment from Tesco to encourage children to get involved in sport. Now in its fifth year, Tesco works in conjunction with the FA and local communities to provide young footballers with the opportunity to play in a structured competition, on a national and international stage.
• Meanwhile, the senior side recorded a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, thanks to goals in each half from Holly Griffin and Jess Barling respectively. The Hammers Ladies had drawn 2-2 against Portsmouth last Sunday and finish their campaign at home to Reading on Saturday, who they can no longer catch in second place of the FA Tesco Womens Premier League South. The Hammers have still had a hugely successful season, regardless.