YOUNGSTERS at a village school managed to get their hands on one of the biggest prizes in English sport back in 1995.

The Mail, on June 30, noted: “It was a dream come true as young Haverigg footballers held the FA Cup aloft, a moment they had imagined for years.

“Unfortunately the footballers had not won the cup - it was just on a flying visit to Haverigg Primary School.

“The cup was brought along, from its current home in Liverpool, by the school’s headteacher Ken Heaton, who has been seconded to Everton Football Club for a year as an education co-ordinator.”

Mr Heaton said: “I had been taking the cup into schools in Liverpool and thought why can’t my children see it?”

The article noted: “Nobody knew what the big box contained as Mr Heaton carried it into a special assembly but some of the older children seemed to have guessed when they saw the men in Everton shirts.

“Keeping the suspense going, Mr Heaton nearly convinced the younger ones he brought along his pet cat.

“But when the box was opened they realised immediately what they were looking at.

The article noted: “All the pupils at the school crowded round to touch and feel the cup for themselves.

“Mr Heaton said he thought that this was the first time the cup had ever been to Cumbria.”

Mr Heaton said: “It is really an honour and privilege to bring the cup back to my own school. It is wonderful.”

Author Joan Eadington, creator of the Jonny Briggs stories, was a special guest in March 1997 as the village school held a book week.

Young people’s librarian Andrew Haggerty also visited the school to talk to youngsters and host a quiz.

In June 1990 pupils were helping to create a pond on the schools nature trail and wildlife area.

It had been designed by parents Janice Brockbank and Ann Harrison and built with help from the community and inmates from Haverigg prison.

Youngsters filled the pond with water carried more than 150 yards in buckets and bottles.