NORTH Yorkshire knowledge played a leading part in taking a young American football team to the verge of major Stateside honours.

Ex-Nestle Rowntree goalkeeper Sam Griggs coached Nether Mustangs Under-14s FC, from Philadelphia, to the quarter-finals of the Dallas Cup.

The tournament is one of the biggest youth football competitions held in the America, attracting teams from around 100 countries and six continents.

This year's tournament included youth teams from Manchester United and Arsenal.

Griggs, 24, a former pupil at Manor CE School, has been coaching in America for almost four years.

His Nether Mustangs' team surpassed the achievements of United by topping their group in the opening round of the Under-14 tournament and winning through to the last eight of the competition.

There, Griggs and his team came up against the young Gunners and lost narrowly 2-1. Arsenal went on to win the tournament.

Updated: 11:25 Saturday, April 26, 2003