Imps five-a-side tournament (From Barry And District News)

Imps five-a-side tournament

AS PART of their celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the club back in 1972, Cadoxton Imps AFC held their annual mini and junior 5-a-side football tournament at Sully BP Sports and Social Club on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, which this year was again sponsored by McDonald's, Barry.

The Tournament was first started in 1997 as part of the club's 25th Anniversary celebrations and was such a success that the club have organised a Summer Tournament every year since.

The format of the tournament followed previous years in that there were separate sections for each age group at Under-8, 9, 10A, 10B, 11, 12, 13 and 14 with approximately 50 teams and 500 players taking part in what is probably the Vale's largest one day football tournament.

Invited representative teams took part in different age groups from the following Vale clubs: Sully Colts, Holton Road, Dinas Powys, Kingspan, Barry Athletic, Sea View, Vale Wanderers, Porthkerry Panthers, Rhoose Dragons, Cogan, Llantwit Major, West End Wanderers, Barry Eagles, Pro Gas Bluebirds, Colcot, Jeff White Motors and Barry Town.

Entertaining and exciting football was played at all age groups with particular mention of good performances in the mini football sections by Vale Wanderers and Kingspan A at Under 8; Imps and Barry Town at Under-9; Sea View and Sully A at Under 10A; Sully Falcons and Pro Gas Bluebirds at Under-10B and Sully A and Llantwit Major at Under-11.

In the junior 5-a-side football section, the Imps reached the final in each age group but were unlucky to end up as close runner-up to Vale Wanderers at Under-12, Holton Road at Under-13 and Sully at Under-14. Every player that took part in the tournament received a medal and a certificate entitling them to a free regular drink at McDonald's, Barry on the day.

Martin Pursall, Chairman of Cadoxton Imps AFC, says: "There is a tremendous amount of hard work by a lot of people involved with the club that goes into organising a tournament like this, but it is all worthwhile when you see so many children enjoying themselves playing the game of football. We are grateful to Huw Thomas and McDonalds, Barry for their continued support for this annual event."

Huw Thomas, franchisee of McDonald's, Barry said: "We are delighted to again have been involved with the Imps' Tournament and to be able to continue our policy of supporting children's football in the local community.