MORE than a 1,000 young footballers descended on Knutsford at the weekend for the ever-growing Egerton Classic.

Head coach Ryan Routley hailed the tournament as a success, with more than 150 teams - between under sevens and under 14s - taking part.

He says the annual event is becoming an important part of the calendar at Egerton Football Club, raising money and their profile with teams from Scotland and Wales travelling to compete.

“We have had a successful year with our junior teams so it’s always nice to bring the curtain down with a tournament,” said the PE teacher.

“It was extremely busy; there were around four to five thousand people at the club on Saturday and Sunday, so it was an action-packed weekend.

“It has accelerated every year, bringing in more funds, and it gives us a chance to show off the fantastic facilities we have got.”

Games took place on both grass and artificial pitches, with the Egerton emerging as victors in the under nines and under 10s age categories.

Results in matches at under eights and below are not recorded, but Routley told the Guardian that seeing the children compete is a success in itself.

“We had up to 100 boys and girls playing,” he added.

“For me that’s the main enjoyment. We develop them every Saturday, and then give them a first chance to play competitive football.”

And he is confident the Classic can continue to go from strength to strength in the future.

“There are always things you can learn,” explained Routley, who has coached at the club for eight years.

“For example, how to deal with large numbers of people.

“We’ve had help from managers at the club, their teams too. People were putting a real shift in up to three weeks before the first match!"