FOOTBALL stars of the future showed off their skills at the annual Under-7s and U8s Wigginton Football Tournament.

Thirty-nine six-a-side teams representing 21 clubs took part in last Saturday’s event held at Wigginton Playing Fields, home of Wigginton Grasshoppers.

Apart from four teams from the home club, there were young players from York-based Hamilton Panthers, Heworth, Wilberfoss Mavericks, Thirsk Falcons, Wheldrake, Easingwold and Northallerton.

The North-East was heavily represented, as usual, with coachloads of teams and parents coming from as far afield as Gateshead, Cramlington and Stockton-on-Tees.

Each team played six ten-minute games, and the emphasis was more on having fun than being competitive.

There were no leagues or knockouts, but each child went home with a commemorative medal.

Chris Garrett, of Wigginton Grasshoppers, who helped to organise the event, said: “The day was a great success.

“The football was of a very high standard and everyone – the children and the parents – thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”