LAXEY JUNIOR FOOTBALLERS OUT PERFORM ENGLAND IN JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT.

Laxey under 11 C team had the honour last weekend of representing their club and the Island at the prestigious North West Junior Football Tournament held in Manchester.
This is a well established annual event that has been running for over 10 years and attracts entries from hundreds of teams across the North West of England and Wales.
It is believed that this is the first time a Manx team has entered the competition and the team had spent many months fund raising for their weekend away and entry into the Tournament.
The team were supported by a group of over 30 family and friends and was managed by coaches Ian Burkitt and David Wilkinson.
The team started slightly nervously and were kept in their game by the splendid performances of Daniel Bailey their goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet in their first 2 games. They grew in confidence and the highlight was a great 3-0 win over Red Vulcan’s who are one of the top junior teams in Manchester.
In a very tough qualifying group of 10 they finished 3rd with 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 narrow 1-0 losses over the weekend so making it through to the Quarter Final (one step further, of course, than Fabio Capello’s men!).
Unfortunately they lost 1-0 in the last minute to BOCA Juniors a top North West team who eventually ended up the winners of the tournament.
The weekend was thoroughly enjoyed by all and there is no doubt that the 10 Manx youngsters who played so well, for their club and the Island, will benefit from the experience in the seasons to come.
Team picture from left to right back row
David Wilkinson, Matthew Wilkinson, Andrew Burkitt, Daniel Bailey,
Harry Gilbert Kyle Caley, George Burrows, Ian Burkitt,
Front row from left to right
Tommy Fenlon, Ben Miller, Rhys Westwell, Kevin Clarke,