The Raymond McEnhill Stadium was a hive of activity over two weekends earlier this month as Salisbury FC Youth hosted their annual 6-a-side tournament.

The festivities, sponsored by local company Cara Glass, kicked off on Sunday, May 12th, with the inaugural girls’ tournament, which was a resounding success.

In glorious sunshine, 45 teams from Under-9 to Under-16 showcased their skills and determination. The atmosphere was amazing, with parents, coaches, and supporters enthusiastically supporting the teams from the sidelines.

Following the girls’ competition, the traditional mixed 6-a-side tournament took centre stage on the second weekend.

112 teams, ranging from Under-7 to Under-14, battled it out on the RayMac’s pristine playing surface.

Local sides from Amesbury, Durrington, Downton, and Clarendon, as well as the home teams from Salisbury FC Youth, were joined by teams travelling from as far as Kent, Dorset, Berkshire, Somerset, and Hampshire, making it a fabulous occasion for teams to test their ability against teams they had never met before.

The competitors in the tournament put on a goal-fest with a staggering total of 1045 goals netted across the three days of competition. But the young athletes weren’t just playing for glory but also kicking up a storm for a worthy cause. Salisbury FC Youth had pledged to donate 20 pence for every goal scored, resulting in an incredible fundraising total of £209 for the Epilepsy Research Institute.

The standard of football on display was truly impressive, with even the youngest players showcasing an astonishing ability to handle the ball. The competition was fierce, but in the end, there could only be one winner in each age group.

Congratulations to the champions across various age groups: Salisbury FC, Hampshire Utd, Bournemouth Electric, Downton FC, Dexter Club, BRS Coaching, FC Salisbury Utd, and AFC Totton.

Stubbington, AFC Stoneham, Ebbsfleet, and Whiteley Kites emerged victorious in the groundbreaking girls’ tournament.

A huge debt of gratitude goes to the many volunteers from Salisbury FC Youth, Salisbury Football Club, and the Supporters Club, who tirelessly worked behind the scenes to ensure the tournament ran smoothly.