In April 2023, Repton School’s old boys’ football club made history by bringing home the coveted Arthur Dunn Cup for the second year in a row. The Old Reptonian Football Club (ORFC) defeated Charterhouse School’s Old Carthusians 3-0, winning on penalties.
Repton School, Derbyshire, has a national reputation for football. In recent years, several players have left Repton to start professional careers. One notable alumnus is Premier League footballer Will Hughes, who has played for Derby County, Watford, and Crystal Palace.
Old Reptonians’ Penalty Shoot-Out Success
The Arthur Dunn Cup is a football competition played between British public school alumni. Named after Old Etonian Arthur Dunn and launched in 1903, it’s the second-oldest knockout competition in British Football.
Since the competition started, the ORFC has won 12 Arthur Dunn Cup finals. However, the team has only managed to reach the final of a subsequent year once before, in 1911/12.
The rivalry between the ORFC and the Old Carthusians dates back to the early years of the competition. Charterhouse defeated Repton four times in the first four years, twice during finals.
The 2023 Arthur Dunn Cup final took place on April 22 at Merchant Taylors’ School, Middlesex. This year’s final was the 38th match between the Old Carthusians and the ORFC. Of the 37 prior games, Repton had won 13, drawn 4, and lost 20.
The Old Carthusians have dominated the competition for the last two decades. However, this year, the ORFC beat the Old Carthusians on penalties, retaining the Arthur Dunn Cup for the first time in the Repton team’s history.
Alex Evans, the ORFC’s captain, took the final penalty shot and secured the win. The victory marked the conclusion of a successful season for the ORFC, as the team also finished second in the Premier Division.
Repton School’s Football Prowess
One of Repton’s six focus sports, football appeals to pupils of all ages and abilities at the School. Sport is an integral part of life at Repton, and it provides an essential source of inspiration and activity to young learners.
Whether a budding professional footballer or a keen House League player, each pupil has the opportunities, facilities, and teachers to help them develop their talents on and off the pitch.
Matt Carrington is Repton’s director of football and assistant head of sport. He leads the School’s football programme, ensuring it supports young players’ high ambitions. Pupils who train with professional clubs’ youth teams have nurtured and developed their skills at the School.
In September 2023, Repton will also welcome professional footballer Luke Webb as the School’s new technical director of football. Webb will join Repton after spending 14 years at Bradfield College, where he crafted a nationally acclaimed football programme. He also delivered frequent coaching sessions to international players as Bloomsbury Futsal’s assistant coach.
Meanwhile, Molly Holder oversees girls’ football at Repton. She plays for Stoke City and is a member of the Football Association’s Women’s National League North. Holder brings the experiences of a current league player to her role and is working towards her UEFA B coaching qualification.
The School understands the impact of continued professional development on teachers’ skills and pupil outcomes. In line with this, Repton continuously seeks to offer a high standard of football training to young players.
Learn more about football at Repton School.
About Repton School
Repton School is one of the UK’s most prestigious day and boarding schools. Located in the rural village of Repton, the School educates pupils aged 13 to 18. Meanwhile, nearby, Repton Prep caters for younger pupils.
Repton boasts approximately 1,000 years of educational history. The School blends traditional values with modern practices and a future-focused outlook. Many families choose Repton for its balanced approach to education. The School encourages an equilibrium between classroom learning, extra-curricular pursuits, rest, and play.
Repton offers elite sports training without compromising academic studies. With impressive facilities and expert coaches, the School prepares many pupils who dream of achieving sporting success for performance during their school days and beyond.
Every Reptonian takes part in sports at least three times a week. With an array of sports on offer, pupils can explore several physical activities. By extension, more than 80% of pupils represent Repton in at least one sport. It’s no surprise that the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics each featured competitors who attended Repton.
Reptonians enjoy a range of traditional and modern subjects, a rich extra-curricular programme, and award-winning Pastoral care. Both day and boarding pupils benefit from the School’s inclusive House structure and sense of community.
