Alan Bleasdale Our Patron
Peter Reid Our Ambassador
Team '71
A Community Interest Company
WELCOME
Team 71 was established to commemorate the Huyton segment of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations for the formation of KMBC. Our goal is to successfully deliver this project to more schools across Knowsley once we complete the initial phase. We are excited about the positive impact this initiative will have on our community and look forward to engaging with students and educators alike. Together, we can celebrate this significant milestone and foster a spirit of collaboration and learning.
Fifty years after Huyton Boys' won the ESFA Cup in 1971, two friends, bonded by their passion for football (and the fact they both had brothers in the team), decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this achievement. By chance, they became acquainted with an author who was in the process of including the Huyton Boys' victory in his upcoming book, "Huyton's Titans."
The collective efforts of the three friends led to the organisation of a number of very special occasions:
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Huyton’s Titans book launch, which formed an integral part of the Borough of Culture celebrations.
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Production of 8 minute film which has received in excess of 30,000 views
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Reunited team, staff and family members with some travelling from Australia, USA, and all over the UK.
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Official Recognition from Lord Mayor of Knowsley for the team’s contribution to the Borough
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Exhibition touring the boroughs sports centres and libraries
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Formed a CIC with Alan Bleasdale as Patron and Peter Reid as Official Ambassador
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Devised a 3-day inspirational programme of activities, "Spirit of 71 - Why Not You?" to remind Huyton school pupils of their rich heritage and to urge them to believe that they too can achieve success which was piloted at St Joseph’s RC Junior School
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Nominations for Liverpool City Region Culture & Creativity Awards 2024 & 2025
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Extensive media coverage including all social media platforms, Radio Merseyside and Granada Reports
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Developed excellent working relationships with KMBC and NHLF
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The 50th (51st because of Covid19) anniversary of the cup win which was celebrated with a reunion at Goodison Park, the site of their cup final victory.
Team 71 is thrilled to announce the creation of a Community Interest Company to honor the 50th Anniversary of Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council! Our mission is to harness local heritage to inspire young people to chase and achieve their dreams. We believe in the incredible story of the Huyton Boys team, which exemplifies the power of ambition and teamwork.
We are delighted to have Alan Bleasdale as our Patron and Peter Reid as our Ambassador, both of whom bring exceptional passion and dedication to our cause.
To kick off our program, we collaborated with St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School for an exciting three-day pilot, made possible by the generous support of headteacher Pauline McIlroy. Our connection to ‘The Joeys’ runs deep, as one of our team members is an alumnus from its early days, and three of the Huyton Boys team proudly share the experience of being former students. We curated a range of engaging activities that celebrated local history, promoted healthy eating and lifestyles, and highlighted the value of teamwork over joining gangs, all while encouraging creative writing. With the spirit of the Huyton Boys rekindled, we hope to ignite inspiration among the youth of Huyton.
The pilot was a resounding success! The children absolutely loved the experience, especially the daily football coaching sessions led by Kenny. Each child walked away with certificates, medals, and special awards to commemorate their participation. We also introduced the 'JJ Shields' Shield, awarded to a student who truly embodies the spirit of our beloved team member, James (JJ) Shields. This shield will be presented annually, reminding everyone of JJ’s legacy and dedication.
With such a fantastic start, we are eager to expand our program to more schools. Together, let's keep the flame of inspiration alive in Huyton!
