BLACKBURN-based Abu Hanifah Foundation Football Club held their annual summer football festival - and this year it was all about the World Cup.

More than 400 boys and girls took part in the tournament where teams took on the names of countries competing in the ‘real’ World Cup in Russia.

The tournament included children from AHF’s FA community development centre, girls sports club, pan disability and East Lancashire junior football league teams.

It was an early start for the reception group, girls sports and pan disability members who enjoyed playing friendly football with plenty of game time, all receiving sweets and trophies at the end.

Disability football coach Callum Monk said: “It’s always great to see the smiles on the kids faces. The children just want to have fun with their friends and football is the perfect way to let them do that.”

The seven and eight-year-olds kicked off the World Cup finals with some entertaining football on show. It was Brazil who came out as the eventual winners beating a skilful Spain in a tense final.

The second age group saw the nine and 10-year-olds battle it out to become world champions. Just like in the real World Cup, it was Croatia who got through to the finals but this time facing Argentina. Croatia edged Argentina with a goal in the dying seconds of the game to lift the cup

The final tournament of the day saw the 11 to 14-year-olds battle for honours.

This time it was Belgium against Germany in the final with Lancashire FA referee, Farhan Kazi, officiating a tense 0-0 encounter.

With the game going to the dreaded penalties, the German keeper almost pulled off a world class save from the first penalty and then stepped up to score the second for his team.

However, it was Belgium who edged it after the German goalkeeper was agonisingly close to saving two penalties.

Amy Bland and Taome Caville, who head the club’s development centre, were full of praise for the players, parents and coaches for making it a tournament to remember.

“Every game was played with a fantastic spirit and although there were some tears in the final every child and spectator enjoyed some fantastic football, played in the right spirit,” said Amy.

As is customary after every annual tournament, the club hosted a fun day for all its members in partnership with the Abu Hanifah Foundation Scouts Group, which is one of the largest scout groups in Blackburn.

Entertainment included open top bus rides, birds of prey, circus skills, a Punch and Judy show and lots of inflatables and food stalls for the whole family to enjoy.

Caville said: “It was a shame we weren’t able to enjoy England playing in the final but the fun day was just what everyone needed to get over the disappointment of the semi-final loss.”

The club, that was only set up in 2013, continues to go from strength to strength after being recognised locally and nationally for their efforts in championing Respect and giving children of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy and participate in a safe environment.

The club was awarded Lancashire FA Charter Standard club of the Year in 2015 and again in 2017. It went on to be named national charter standard club of the year in 2015 receiving their award at Wembley Stadium from Sir Geoff Hurst.

But the club has no plans to rest on its laurels - and is now looking to encourage more girls to take up the game.

“We have more than 350 boys attending our coaching sessions every weekend but only 60 girls,” said coach Amber Kenyon. “So we want to grow participation for girls.

“We’re seeing more and more girls joining every week and with many of our girls as young as 12 volunteering every weekend I’m sure we can have as many girls as boys attending our sessions every weekend.”

* For more information about Abu Hanifah Foundation Football Club either log on to ahffc.org/registration, email info@ahffc.org or ring Yasir on 07463 561796.