Premiership scouts at Chorley school football tournament

9:16am Tuesday 12th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

More than 50 football teams across the north of England visited Chorley at the weekend looking to impress at the Holy Cross High School six-a-side soccer tournament, writes Adam Sharples.

Scouts from Premier League giants such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton were there to watch the best young talent battle to be crowned champions.

Seven age-groups were spread across the two days with Saturday hosting the U12s through to the U15s and Sunday seeing the youthful U7s, U9s and U10s.

Both days, however, were marred with awful weather conditions with torrential rain spoiling Saturday’s play and high winds affecting Sunday’s.

After seeing the officials' tent blow over one spectator added that the weather was the “worst conditions” they had seen in youth football.

But it was down to the local clubs to brush aside the weather conditions and try to impress the 200 spectators – most of whom hiding under their umbrellas.

Chorley’s Gillibrand Warriors triumphed on a local front winning the U7s in a tense extra-time final against Blackburn’s Mill Hill - as Coppull settled for second place in the U13s.

Other local clubs included Euxton Villa, Charnock Richard and Chorley St Gregory's who all played a good part in making the tournament a memorable weekend for those watching.

Event organiser and community coach Phil Masterson said: “It’s great for Chorley to see clubs from all over taking part.

hopefully one day we’ll see some of the kids who were here on our TV screens."