Last weekend saw the third annual Chester Athletic FC seven-a-side summer football tournament held at Lord Lawson School in Birtley, Co.Durham and again proved to be a tremendous success.

Over the two days the event had 170 teams playing a total of 517 matches with approximately 5000 people attending. Organisers say this could not have been done without the many hard working volunteers and the excellent commitment of the 17 qualified referees.

There were age groups from under-7s through to under-13s including an under 9/10s and 11/12s girls section with many regions represented from various teams from as far North as Northumberland to as far South as Bradford, West Yorkshire and Sheffield, South Yorkshire. As well as many teams from North Yorkshire, Teesside, Tyneside, Co.Durham and Wearside.

Organisers would like to thank the various sponsors and guest presenters at the trophy presentations which included Mr Ronnie Coleman (Vice president of Durham FA), Mr Kevin Armstrong (Chairman of the Durham & District Referee's Society) and Mr Mick Clark (Secretary of the Russell Foster Youth Leagues). Darlington FC star Craig Liddle very kindly supported the presentations on both days and it was a pleasure to see Ex Sunderland star Gary Bennett who spent a lot of time mingling with the crowds and signing autographs. It was likewise great to see at the presentations Ex Newcastle United and Blyth Spartans star Alan Shoulder. Alan's daughter also competed on the Sunday in the Girls competition.

Tournament organiser James Horner said: "Yet again it was fabulous to see the thousands that turned up.

There are so many people to thank for an event like this but a big thank you goes out to all the teams, Managers, Parents and spectators for the wonderful manner in which games were played and fans conducted themselves. Despite the weather everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and like last year, the high level of football played was excellent to see and bodes well for the future of football in the region.

"To see so many children playing football, smiles on their faces and seeing them enjoying themselves makes it all worth while and we hope we have had a positive influence on the kids and youth football in general."

Chester Athletic FC is a junior football club based in the North-East of England. From their base in Chester-le-Street, they run junior teams in and around the area from under-7s to under-17s with approximately 200 children within the club.

Results

Under-7s

Semi-finals: Killingworth FC 0 Killingworth Sproggs 2; Killingworth YPC 0 Swalwell Swift 1.

Final: Killingworth Sproggs 3 Swalwell Swift 0.

Under-8s

Semi-finals: Swalwell Juniors 0 Redby FC 2; Coulby Newham 2 Hebburn Town 1.

Final: Coulby Newham 0 Redby FC 1.

Under-9s

Semi-finals: Real Winlation 1 Walbottle Campus 0; Plains Farm 0 Chester Ath Tigers 2.

Final: Real Winlation 3 Chester Ath Tigers 2.

Under-10s

Semi-finals: Hilda Park 0 Riverside FC 1; Whitleas Madrid 0 Low Fell 2.

Final: Riverside FC 4 Low Fell 1.

Under-9/10s Girls

Semi-finals: Sheff Wed Girls 1 Lumley Ladies 2; Ford & Hylton 1 Boldon Girls 2.

Final: Lumley Ladies 0 Boldon Girls 1.

Under-11/12s Girls

Semi-finals: Boldon U11's 1 SAFC 24/7 0; Boldon U12's 1 Lumley Ladies 0.

Final: Boldon U11's 0 Boldon U12's 1

* Despite the age difference Boldon under-11's gave their older girls team a real tough match and managed to hold their own to the end. The match was eventually decided by penalties which saw Boldon Under-12s victorious.

Under-11s

Semi-finals: Birtley Town 1 Chester Ath Falcons 0; Fulwell Fitness 1 FC Stannington 0.

Final: Birtley Town 0 Fulwell Fitness 2.

* In a great final both teams competed well. Fulwell took the lead through Callum Stobbs followed by a second from Alex Kempster but local lads Birtley Town never gave up and gave a good account of themselves.

Under-12s

Semi-finals: Lambton Lions 0 Riverside FC 2; Shildon 1 Burradon Juniors 0.

Final: Riverside FC 0 Shildon 1.

Under-13s

Semi-finals: Norton & Stockton 0 Fulwell 1; Newbottle 1 Harraton & Rickelton 0.

Final: Fulwell 0 Newbottle 1.

Winners of the U7s Arizona Chemicals Cup: Killingworth Sproggs FC

Winners of the U8s Gladwyn Management Cup: Redby FC

Winners of the U9s Pensions Management Cup: Real Winlation FC

Winners of the U10s Bede Financial Services Cup: Riverside FC

Winners of the U9/10's Girls Bishop Skinner Insurance Brokers Cup: Boldon Girls FC

Winners of the U11/12's Bay Horse Hotel (Wolsingham) Cup: Boldon Girls U12's FC

Winners of the U11's Jewson Cup: Fulwell Fitness FC

Winners of the U12s Aeromaster International Cup: Shildon Juniors FC

Winners of the U13's Title Trophies Cup: Newbottle Juniors FC