AFC Salisbury holds tournament at Five Rivers Leisure Centre

This large, player led event was organised, planned and fundraised for by the players themselves. Attracting 16 teams from as far afield as Bath, Oxford and London, the standard of football was "exceptionally high". Local teams included Clarendon Juniors, Salisbury FC, and FC Salisbury Utd.

The guest of honour was Paul Cooper from BBC's This Country. Paul is also Director of the National Children's Football Alliance. After presenting the trophies Paul said: "It was fab. A brilliant afternoon. Well done AFC Salisbury, their players and all their volunteers."

After taking a knee in a show of unity against racism, the afternoon's competition was fierce. The eventual winners were Salisbury FC in the Plate competition (with AFC Brightwell Revolution as runners-up) and St Mathew's Project won the Cup (with Andover Town as runners-up).

St Matthew's Project is a club based in Brixton providing football and other life opportunities for young people in the Lambeth area.

They had received support with transport costs to attend the event from London legal firm Peters and Peters and spent the morning visiting the Cathedral before playing football.

AFC Salisbury Club Secretary Debbie Sayers said: "Our players' planned this event through the lockdowns this year and their hard work resulted in this massive tournament and an afternoon of incredible football.

"The young people in this age group are often overlooked and this tournament shows what they can achieve if given the space to lead."

AFC Salisbury also received a donation of new kit and balls from the National Children's Football Alliance for their work promoting free football.

AFC Salisbury are still looking to expand their u17/18 squad for next season.

They play Sunday league football and urge anyone interested in playing in a modern football environment where players are given individualised support on their football journey to get in touch on 07543654971 or afcsalisbury@yahoo.com