EFL icon opens up on tournament that has seen the rise of Adam Wharton and Man Utd starlet
EXCLUSIVE EFL icon Adebayo Akinfenwas has opened up about the Utilita Kids Cup that has seen the rise of Adam Wharton and Man Utd youngster Harry Amass
Adam Wharton stunned the footballing world last month.
The Englishman, who has experience a meteoric rise after his move to Crystal Palace in January 2024, had Pep Guardiola's Manchester City playing to his beat at Wembley.
However, it wasn't the first time Wharton had been able to strut his stuff at the home of football - as a schoolboy he had the chance to take to the hallowed turf.
Way back in 2015, Wharton was part of the Utilita Kids Cup. The competition is one of the country’s largest national football competitions - and it culminates with a Wembley final.
Wharton, who was at Salesbury Church of England Primary School, won the tournament when his primary school earned the right to represent Blackburn Rovers in the competition.
“It was one of the best moments of my life at the time,” Wharton said. “I’ll never forget the day. It was a great moment and something I look back on, for sure. Those are the moments that stick with you, no matter what you go on to achieve in your career.
“The more kids that can experience them moments, the better.”
And, over the weekend, it was time for the latest batch of youngsters to take to Wembley, with Adebayo Akinfenwa offering team talks to the kids: "I just think it’s such a wonderful initiative," he told Daily Star Sport.
“And I say that even more now, because I’ve just come out of the changing room with the kids and I’ve seen how excited they are to play at this iconic stadium...
"I’m glad you mentioned Adam Wharton because he’s the one that’s got the story that he played here and then came back to Wembley and won the FA Cup.
“But this is also for the ones that don’t go on and make it, it is still a memorable achievement! When they do get older they can say listen ‘I once played at Wembley’.
“So it’s for those who do make and those who don’t!”
Wharton isn't the only star to have turned out in the finals of the cup - Man Utd youngster Harry Amass was part of a school side representing Colchester United that rocked up to the home of football in the Utilita Kids Cup final during the 2017/18 season.
Akinfenwa added the competiton isn't just about the kids who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the sport - its to offer them the moment of a lifetime at the famous stadium.
"It’s beautiful, because I’ve seen it go from strength to strength. I’m a massive fan of it," he concluded.