The England squad may not have given fans much cause for celebration in South Africa, but for staff at Halesowen-based chartered accountants Nicklin LLP, World Cup success was a lot more forthcoming.

The firm's team proved their prowess on the pitch as well as the balance sheet by reaching the final of the recent Professional Services World Cup, which took place at the Goals football centre in Blackheath.

The event featured more than 20 teams made up of accountants, solicitors and other professional firms from across the region. It was organised by Crombies Accountants, based in Wolverhampton, and Talbots Solicitors, based in Stourbridge, and followed the same qualifying format as the actual World Cup.

The Nicklins team won all their group matches but were unfortunately denied victory in the final, losing 2-0 to Black Country solicitors Higgs and Sons.

Nicklins tax manager Paul Clayton said: "But for a lucky bounce, we could have been champions!"

Practice manager Mark Northall said: "It was fitting that in an event organised by solicitors and accountants that both professions should be represented in the final."

The rest of the Nicklins team was made up of financial advisers Steve Harris and Matt Baker, and accounts seniors Mohammed Akmal and Paul Guest.

The event raised a substantial amount of money for various local charities, including Compton Hospice, as well as providing a more informal setting for professionals to meet.