STRENSALL Tigers Under-13s were flying out to Barcelona this week to play in a Europa Cup competition at the Camp Nou stadium.

The Villagers were being sent on their way by sponsorship from York Pullman, which has also provided a smart new strip.

Team captain Oliver Kilvington said: "For a small village team to play at the Camp Nou is a dream come true and one that the lads have never stopped talking about since we entered the competition over six months ago. We can't believe we will be playing on the same pitch as Messi and Iniesta."

Team manager Andy Inkster said: "York Pullman couldn't have been more helpful, so letting us travel in style on the first leg of our journey is just the icing on the cake. Our team is made up of local lads who have been with the club since starting at under-six."

Kevin Walker, operations manger for York Pullman and a former Strensall player, said: "We have a history of sponsoring sports teams around York so when the Tigers came to us with this fantastic opportunity to give something back to our local community we jumped at the chance.

"We are a national company based in the village and take these boys to school every day on our school buses, so to sponsor our local club was a chance we couldn't turn down. We will be taking them to the airport on one of our executive coaches, to give them a send off fit for a team playing at an iconic stadium like the Camp Nou."

Meanwhile, Copmanthorpe U12s have been presented with their York and Ryedale Mitchell Sports Football League division three winners shields and trophy by league chairman Barry Casterton and committee members Paul Ballatyne and Angie Casterton at the club's players awards event at Copmanthorpe Recreation centre.

The team, guided by manager Roger Walker, lost only one match all season and now progress to 11-a-side football next season in the York Minor League.

* WIGGINTON Grasshoppers Under-14s are on the lookout for new players for the forthcoming football season.

The team, who play in the York Minor League, are seeking three or four new players. Players should be starting school Year 9 in September 2016.

Pre-season training will get under way in August.

Anyone interested in joining the team should phone manager Dave Hopwood on 07975 654903 as soon as possible.