THE RACE between Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League trophy is far from decided with fewer than ten games to go.
But we’ve got some bad news for Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, as Clanfield Junior School (CJS) have beaten them to it.
Dozens of pupils lived out a footballer’s dream as the world-famous trophy went to the school.
The trophy is the real deal and the very piece of silverware that’s been hoisted by Manchester City, Leicester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Blackburn since the early 1990s.
Pupils can thank the mother of CJS pupil Lucas Williams for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get close to the gold, silver and malachite edifice, as she won an online competition.
"It makes me feel very happy seeing it here," said Lucas, while Year 5 pupil and Portsmouth FC youth team player Lenny Tricker was equally excited about the trophy’s visit.
He said: "Not many people have lifted it so it’s great seeing it here - I think I’ll lift it one day with Portsmouth."
The trophy came to CJS through the Premier League Primary Stars initiative while staff from the Pompey in the Community programme also took part in the day’s activities.
Pupils were given the chance to have their picture taken with the prize and also took part in a trophy question-and-answer session with the Primary Stars team.
"When I told the children the Premier League trophy was coming to CJS, a lot of them were very excited," said deputy headteacher Stevie Bonwick.
"It was a great way to start the week and it’s nice for them to have something different like this."