A LONG running community football tournament has proved to be as successful as ever and the good news it that it could get even better.

The 5-a-side Cage tournament, the brainchild of Adam Hassan who started it 10 years ago, brings together youngsters from the Little Harwood area of Blackburn.

The tournament was run by the recently formed Little Harwood Youth project this year and received financial backing from Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Prince's Trust.

Organisers are now hoping that the funding can help secure better sporting facilities in the area for youngsters and make future tournaments even bigger and better.

The event, which attracted 40 players aged between 14-21 took on the unusual process of seeding players so that teams were fairly mixed with talented individuals and those who did not have much experience in the game.

The event was given added spice by playing it as a mini World Cup with eight teams named after countries split into two groups. Players and team names were drawn out of a hat.

It Group A, Germany and Spain progressed into the semi finals alongside Italy and Holland from Group B.

Italy booked their place in the final while Spain and Holland had a real battle before Holland eventually won in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

The final itself then summed up the whole spirit of the competition with a free-flowing match produced an 11-goal thriller which Italy won 6-5.

Italy player Rammu was named play of the final but it was 14-year-old Baby Baby Kola, who played for Holland, who was named player of the tournament while Italy's Asif Jogee was was voted the most outstanding goalkeeper.

The event was cheered on by more than 100 supporters. Refreshments were provided by Burma Catering while I Khan, I Khan and M Badrudin were thanked for organising the event.