Laxey under 13 A team had the honour recently of representing their club and the Island at the prestigious North West Junior Football Tournament held in Manchester.

This is a well established annual event that has been running for over 12 years and attracts entries from teams across the North West of England and Wales, including premier league and other football teams junior ranks.

This is now the third years that Laxey Lions (as they are known on tour!) have entered a team and the majority of the boys have played at the tournament for each of the last 3 years.

The team were again supported by a group of over 30 family and friends and was managed by coaches Ian Burkitt and David Wilkinson. 

The team started brightly winning their first game 3-0 and eventually finished 2nd in their group behind St. Helens.  The highlight in the group stages was a great 4-0 win over Red Vulcan’s who are one of the top junior teams in Manchester.

In a very tough semi-final they were unlucky to lose 1-0 nil to Hesketh Bank (one step further, of course, than Roy Hodgson’s men!). Overall during the weekend they played 8 games, winning 5, drawing 1 and losing only 2 games and conceding only 4 goals in those 8 games.

The weekend was thoroughly enjoyed by all and there is no doubt that the 12 Manx youngsters who played so well, for their club and the Island, will continue to benefit from the experience in the seasons to come.

Image Caption:

Team picture from left to right back row David Wilkinson, Cameron Heayns, Matthew Wilkinson, Alex Tam, George Burrows, Daniel Bailey, Tommy Callow, Tommy Fenlon, Harry Gilbert, Ian Burkitt.

Front row from left to right
Rhys Westwell, Andrew Burkitt, Joe Walters, Ben Miller.