Telford duo net the festival silverware

The event, organised by Shropshire FA and hosted at North Shropshire College's town campus, consisted of a five-a-side competition for under-8s, with a seven-a-side tournament for under-10s running alongside.

At the end of an entertaining day of action, Randlay Colts led a clean sweep for Telford-based teams as they claimed victory in the under-8s event, with neighbours NC United emerging as best of the under-10s.

Darren Beech, football development team leader for Shropshire FA and the main organiser behind the tournament, said: "It was a very good day, all of the teams who entered the tournament enjoyed themselves and there was some really good football played.

"It was a long but enjoyable day. Teams signed on at 10am and then played round-robin games, with the final taking place at 3pm.

"We had a team of around six people working for the Shropshire FA. It went really well."

The Mayor of Oswestry, councillor Paul Milner, was on hand to present trophies to the winning teams, while the tournament also featured a number of junior referees.

Fundamental

Beech said such events are a fundamental part of the FA's plan to increase participation in the county.

He said: "We are trying to increase the number of youngsters getting involved in football throughout the county.

"This event was very positive in that respect. It is the last of four festivals we have organised over the past few months.

"Now we are at the end of the season we are already looking towards next year.

"These events are very important in terms of what we are trying to achieve in terms of getting people involved in the sport. It is not just about players, it is also about the referees and every other aspect of the game."

The FA have organised similar festivals in Whitchurch, while a junior football event also took place before the England v Republic of Ireland Schoolboys match back in April.

It was the second time the Oswestry festival had been hosted by the college, which was also the venue for last July's inaugural event.

Once again, it ran alongside the college's family fun day, which included live music and craft stalls aimed at raising money for the Severn Hospice.

College spokesman Pippa Evans said: "The sports department work closely with the Shropshire FA and the festival has proved to be a really popular event.

"I would say there were around 300 people here on the day."