Story added: 1st July 2019

Over 180 teams enjoy Summer Cup action at The Nest

A landmark Summer Cup concluded yesterday, with the last of the age groups coming together for tournament action at The Nest.

The twentieth edition of the tournament, notable for being the first one played at the Community Sports Foundation’s new hub, was held over two weekends and welcomed over 180 teams and over 1750 players.

Kicking off the action in style were participants from 12 different clubs – including Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea – who joined the Canaries for a disability version of the tournament.

Sunday’s action saw our youngest participants enjoy a non-competitive festival of football, with each player taking home a medal and, for some, their first taste of tournament action.

At a sweltering second weekend, with the top temperature hitting 28 degrees celsius, the U9s, U10s, U11s and U12s took to the pitches with silverware to play for.

On the Saturday, the last two teams standing in the U9s tournament were Horsford FC and Gorleston Rangers FC.  After a tense final, it was the local side who persevered, denying the Rangers what would have been a 20th Summer Cup tournament win.

The Under 10s tournament was won by defending champs Holt United FC, who had won the Under 9 category last year.

Temperatures cooled slightly for the final day’s action, which saw the turn of the U11s and U12s.

Feltwell FC’s U11s won the tournament last year, and they made it two in a row with victory over Gorleston FC in the final.

Also looking to make it consecutive tournament wins were the Horsford FC U12s, but they were thwarted in the final by a strong AC Mill Lane FC side, who gave their club its first ever Summer Cup victory.

But, as ever, it was not the results that took centre stage.

Jordan Southgate, CSF Football Development Manager, said:

“From consoling words to teammates after missed penalties to games played out in great spirit, there were plenty of examples of sportsmanship across the four days.

“The Nest is our own venue, and it made it that more special to finally have the action take place in ‘our own backyard’. There’s been a lot of hardwork put in by all the team in the build-up to the tournament, and it great to see it run so smoothly.”

Away from the action, players got the chance to have a photo with Norwich City’s Championship trophy, try their hand at some skill games, and sample The Nest’s home-cooked food and hospitality.

The Foundation wishes to thank R G Carters for generously supporting the event.