19/07/2026
WHAT. A. DAY. 🏈
What an absolute rollercoaster in Carlisle! To our players, parents, and coaches: if you were wondering what "grit" looks like, you only had to look at the pitch today.
We know it’s summer holidays and a few of our stars were away soaking up the sun, but the Kings showed up in full force, heart-first.
🛡️ U11 Warriors: Heart of Gold
Our U11s were absolute legends today. Taking the field without their starting QB is a massive challenge for anyone at this level, but did they drop their heads? Absolutely not. Talk about stepping out of comfort zones—we had players slotting into new positions, taking on massive responsibilities on the fly, and executing plays like absolute pros.
They faced three tough, incredibly close losses on the scorecard, but if we were keeping score on determination, hustle, and pure spirit, they would have won every single one. The way they rallied together, cheered each other on after every whistle, and fought for every single yard was beautiful to watch. They showed the entire tournament what a true team looks like. Every single player stepped up, filled gaps, and left everything they had on that field. The future is incredibly bright with this squad—heads held high, because you were brilliant!
💥 U14s: The Rollercoaster
Our U14s put on a masterclass in endurance.
The Draw: A hard-fought battle against the Longhorns to set the tone.
The Thriller: The game against the Salford Scorpions was definitely the game of the day. A total nail-biter that came down to the absolute final play. 19-20 final score—football doesn’t get much more gut-wrenching than that! Both defenses were putting on a clinic, and the offensive plays from both sides were simply outstanding.
The Comeback: Straight after that emotional and physical drain, the squad had to turn around and face the Scunthorpe Alphas. Exhausted? You bet. Did they crumble? Not a chance. They dug deep and delivered a huge win to cap off the day. That is pure character.
🤝 Class Acts All Around
A massive, heartfelt thank you to all the opposing coaches who took the time after the whistles blew to speak with our players and coaching staff. Hearing from rivals just how talented, dangerous, and respected our teams are means the world. It’s a testament to the hard work everyone is putting in, and it proves that people are noticing the incredible potential brewing in this club!
👑 The Kings Family
Let’s talk about the parents. We know it’s holiday season. We know people were supposed to be relaxing. Instead, you were in Carlisle, cheering your lungs out and cutting holidays short to support the team. That is the Kings Family on show. Thank you for being the heartbeat of this club.
🙏 Big Thanks & Huge Congrats
To the Border Centurions: Thank you for organizing such a brilliant day, and a massive shoutout to the volunteer refs—we know you don't hear "thank you" enough!
To our Scottish neighbors: Huge congratulations to the Paisley Bears and the Fife All Stars for punching their tickets to the finals.
We head home tired, a little sunburned, and maybe a bit hoarse from screaming, but mostly just incredibly proud.
Kings Forever. 👑🏈
