UNDER-8s FESTIVAL: Inaugural Borough Park tournament a success

Pirelli and Bransty Rangers were victorious in the inaugural Workington AFC Grassroots Festival at Borough Park today.

Played in fabulous conditions on the hallowed turf in front of an enthusiastic crowd of parents and supporters, 16 teams from across the north and west of the county took to the pitch for a fantastic day celebrating the future of local football.

Four Round-Robin groups in the morning fed down into two eight-team knockout competitions in the afternoon, a format that creates some very well matched and dramatic knockout games – several of which needed penalties to decide them as we headed for the two big finals.

The Plate final was and all West Cumbrian affair with Bransty coming out on top against a recently formed Gosforth side.

The Cup, however, was always going north as Pirelli overcame Morton Manor in a tight final.

Many of Reds’ first team and Development squad – as well as Assistant manager Steven Rudd – were in attendance, and were tasked with refereeing alongside two fully fledged junior referees.

They were joined by Manchester City keeper James Trafford, currently on loan at Accrington Stanley), who did a fine job presenting trophies and medals as well as bit of time with the whistle.

All in all, a great day out for all organised by our Foundation team who have it all to do again in two weeks as we entertain the under-10s sides.

The Grassroots Festivals are the beginning of a series of community initiatives the club will launch to celebrate the clubs’ Centenary.

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