Young footballers to shine at Molineux finals

Released: 18 April 2008

Young footballers are preparing to show off their skills in the finals of a five-a-side tournament at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium.

Teams from across Wolverhampton will compete with sides from as far afield as Hednesford, Stafford, Smethwick and Bridgnorth in the finals of the 20th annual Jimmy Mullen Five-a-Side Championships on Thursday April 24. The event is organised by Wolverhampton City Council and Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.

The tournament, held in memory of the legendary Wolverhampton Wanderers winger, kicked off with qualifying rounds at Aldersley Leisure Village last month, with the winners qualifying for Thursday’s back-to-back finals.

They begin with the Under 10s boys final between St Joseph’s School and Claregate Primary School, followed by the Under 11s boys final between Stafford Rangers Juniors FC and Bridgnorth Spartans FC and the Under 12s boys match between Hednesford Town FC and Stafford Rangers FC.

Then it is the turn of the girls with Trinity Church of England Primary School taking on Warstones Primary School in the Under 11s final and Wolverhampton Girls High and St Peter’s Collegiate vying for the Under 13s title.

Warstones Wanderers South play Eurofast FC in the Under 13s boys final before Warstones Wanderers and Smethwick Sikh Temple bring the tournament to a head in the Under 14s final.

Dave Hill, Wolverhampton City Council Sport Development Officer, said: “Having played amazingly well to get this far, it will take another great effort for these sides to be named this year’s champions.

“The stadium will be buzzing with excitement; the atmosphere will be truly cup final-esque and I’m sure there will be goose-bumps galore among both the players and spectators.

“This will be a very special final for us as it is the tournament’s 20th anniversary. It has proved a massive success over the years and has established itself as one of the highlights of the junior football calendar.”
 
Richard Skirrow, Secretary of Wolverhampton Wanderers, added: “We are delighted to once again support this competition in memory of a Wolves great.

“We have a very close working relationship with Wolverhampton City Council and have worked together on a number of award-winning community projects.”
 
Jimmy Mullen’s widow Joan will be on hand to present medals and trophies to the winning teams.

Issued by the press office.