Vertu Primary Schools Cup Scores Further Recognition
The Vertu Primary Schools Cup has been nominated for a leading prize at the prestigious Football Business Awards, which will take place at a star-studded ceremony in London in May.
Operated alongside the Birmingham City Football Club Foundation, the Primary Schools Cup has been nominated alongside the Trevor Francis Cup for the Best Football Community Scheme’ award.
Now in its second season, the Vertu Primary Schools Cup is open to both mixed and girls’ teams from across the West Midlands, with more than 1,000 children taking part in the competition during 2026 after support from Vertu - the UK’s fourth largest automotive retailer - allowed the girls’ competition to be expanded with a further 16 teams.
Those children will all be given the opportunity to take part in games at the Knighthead Performance Centre, with the top teams from each qualifying round progressing to Finals Day at the famous St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park stadium, where Birmingham City has played its home games for more than a century.
Last year, St. John’s Middle School Academy from Bromsgrove won the girls’ competition whilst Our Lady of The Wayside from Solihull took the top prize amongst the mixed teams.
The success of the competition in 2025 saw the Vertu Primary Schools Cup recognised for its efforts in boosting inclusion in grassroots football at the inaugural Global Football Awards, where it was highly commended in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category.
The Trevor Francis Cup for secondary school children is operated by the Foundation alongside the University of Birmingham.
Jeremy Dale, CEO at Birmingham City Football Club said: “We’re incredibly proud to be shortlisted for Best Community Scheme.
“The Vertu Primary Schools Cup is designed to give young people the opportunity to engage with football while building important life skills such as teamwork and healthy competition.
“Seeing the positive impact these competitions are having across our community is something we’re extremely proud of, and we are so grateful to Vertu for this fabulous partnership.”
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu, said: “The Vertu Primary Schools Cup has been a huge success over the past 18 months, and we are proud to have helped provide so many children with the opportunity to take part.
“Being nominated for such a prestigious award is a reflection of the positive impact that the project has had on the community, and shows how business and sport can combine to make a real difference.
“We look forward to the awards taking place and, hopefully, having further cause for celebration.”