Borough wide football final

Photo: Laura Wild

Winners of the 13-15 age group: Middleton

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More than 60 teenage football fanatics from across the borough played in the final leg of the Borough Wide Football Tournament at the Soccer Village today (Saturday 20 March 2010).

The winners in the 13-15 age group were the Middleton team and the winners in the 15-18 age group were Littleborough. Both of the winning teams received a trophy, gold medals and will go on a tour of Old Trafford Football ground next weekend.

All those who took part received medals and tickets to watch Rochdale play Grimsby next week.

The final comes at the end of weeks of hard work from teams across the borough; teams for both age groups were entered from the Pennines, Middleton, Heywood and Rochdale North and South.

Both Heywood teams made it to today’s finals.

Angela Doherty from the Rochdale Youth Service organised the event, she said: “It has been great fun, there has been real sportsmanship and everybody has got on really well.

“It is the first time we have run anything like this but I am hoping we can develop it to be an annual event.

“The young people have already asked for it to be a frequent event.”

A group of teenagers from Rochdale’s twin town in Germany, Bielefeld, also watched the tournament. The teenagers who are on the Youth Exchange scheme are in Rochdale for a week and will take part in various activities.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift and Sue Etchells watched the games and presented the awards.

Mayor Swift said: “It is great to see young people from across the borough taking part in this youth tournament.

“A lot of thanks has to go to Rochdale Youth Service for their hard work and commitment to make this possible and to Rochdale football club for their input and providing prizes.”

“The Heywood Township has done very well to get teams in both of the finals.

“It is also pleasing to see young people from the town’s twin town, Bielefeld, enjoy this occasion.”

The Mayor added: “Perhaps Angela will be organising international youth tournaments next!”