The FA Grand National Play Offs saw the top teams from the North, Midlands and South Regional Futsal leagues qualify to compete against one another in two groups of three teams.
Sheffield FC Futsal were drawn into the group which included Chippenham FC from the midlands league and two time FA National Futsal Cup champions Helvecia from the southern league.
Sheffield FC Futsal kicked off the play offs in spectacular style beating midland rivals Chippenham FC, 12-2. Sheffield FC Futsal were clinical and dominated the game from start to finish impressing the crowd with their wholehearted performance.
After this result some fancied Sheffield FC Futsal as potential champions, breaking the hold of the southern based teams. Victory over former champions Helvecia would have helped cement these views but in reality it only helped to exemplify the gulf in class between the two teams.
Helvecia proved lethal on the counter attack creating chances at will securing a 13-2 victory over a shell shocked Sheffield FC Futsal team. Helvecia are made up of London based foreign players with vast Futsal experience including players with professional experience of the game overseas.
Helvecia went on to win the competition with a thrilling 11-8 victory over league rivals Spartans who qualified from their group with victories over Team United Birmingham and Manchester.
Sheffield FC Futsal can take great credit from their performances this season, becoming one of the top four clubs but ultimately falling short against the best team in the country
Sheffield FC Futsal did though win the fair play award during the tournament. Both this and the regional championship trophy will be on display at Sheffield FC’s BT Local Business Stadium in the coming weeks.
Sheffield FC Futsal will now regroup and focus on challenging for the FA Futsal Cup held on home soil at the English Institute of Sport in September the 9th, 10th and 11th.