RADCLIFFE Borough Junior Football Club are to host what is believed to be the North West's biggest junior football tournament later this month.

More than 170 teams of youngsters aged from nine to 14 years have registered to take part in competitions arranged according to age, at Radcliffe's Close Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22.

Teams from as far away as Scotland are travelling to Radcliffe to compete in the six-a-side matches, which will be played continuously and simultaneously for eight hours on each of the match days.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the annual tournament, which has grown out of all recognition from the modest event of the early 1990's, but which mirrors the growth of Radcliffe Borough Juniors FC.

Boro Juniors now have more than 350 youngsters aged between nine and 16 years in membership. The club fields 26 teams playing in four different leagues.

A dedicated band of parents and other adults look after the organisation of the club's big annual tournament. "This year it is our biggest ever tournament, yet the only thing we are lacking is a sponsor," said vice-chairman Nick Pinder.

One thing they are not short of is interest from the region's big professional clubs. "Our tournament is a Mecca for the professional clubs. They all send scouts to check on up and coming talent.

"We are pleased to welcome them, but feeding talent to the professionals is not what we are about. "Our purpose is to give local youngsters the opportunity to enjoy healthy, open-air activity and make new friends in an atmosphere of sportsmanship," said Nick.

Meanwhile, all the fancy footwork on view will not just come from the young footballers. A Radcliffe morris dancing troupe will be contributing to the occasion on the Sunday when they hold their own annual tournament at the same location. About 20 visiting troupes will be taking part.

There will also be a fun fair on site with sideshows and food caterers helping to make it a real gala weekend.

Bury FC will again be providing their ever-popular "penalty shoot-out" attraction where lads and dads test their prowess against a professional goalkeeper.