Market Drayton’s annual Tigers Super Sixes tournament has received the Premiership seal of approval from two Stoke City scouts.
Stuart Ralphs and Stacy Burnett were unanimous in declaring that the town’s big international junior football tournament was in the premier league of such events.
Stacy said: “If we had to limit the tournaments we scout to just a handful, this would be one of them and it now has a heck of a reputation for attracting the best teams and being superbly run.”
Stuart added: “It’s certainly one of the best and we’ve spoken to the parents of several young players, including four from Tigers, who’ve impressed us. The standards are high and the organisation, by what is obviously a very committed group of club officials and volunteers, couldn’t be faulted.
“We came here, along with scouts from many other professional clubs, to work because we knew we’d get to watch a high standard of player being encouraged to give of their best in a really competitive tournament.
“But it’s the social aspect too because Tigers ensure that everyone, from the time they’re welcomed on to the car parks to the time they say goodbye, is made welcome and has a good time.”
Tigers’ officials had special reason to celebrate at this year’s tournament as one of their teams won the under-8s age group – a rare success for the club which has to cope with competition from much bigger organisations.
This year, almost 130 teams from all over the Midlands took part and attracted an overall attendance of more than 3,000 during the two-day tournament, with vehicles filling the car park, rugby and training pitches at Greenfields.
Tigers chairman Andy Mackintosh said: “The number of teams actually taking part was slightly down on last year but we were delighted with the overwhelming level of support they received.
“The feedback we’ve had from all quarters has been very favourable and it’s a great credit to all the people who worked so hard to make the event a success.”
Along with general praise for the army of volunteers who helped out once again, Andy had a special word to say about that normally maligned group – the referees.
“Many of them were club members who were trained up specially for the tournament and they all did a magnificent job over the two days,” he said.
By Winston Brown