YOUNGSTERS showed huge potential in a grassroots football festival held at the Workington AFC ground last weekend.

The Workington AFC Foundation began life last year as a way to build on the football club’s work in its community, Richard Lewthwaite and Simon Collins were recruited as community directors to dream up the projects.

And one of their ideas, all be it delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, was to bring young football stars to Workington Reds’ iconic ground, Borough Park.

The plan came to fruition on Sunday with a grassroots football festival involving Cumbria’s rising stars.

Lewthwaite said: “It was a massive success.

“Everything went pretty much exactly how we envisaged it going.”

The inaugural grassroots football festival welcomed under eights for a football tournament against teams from across the county. Future instalments will see young people of different age groups visit Borough Park for the festivals.

Whitehaven AFC, Workington Reds Juniors and Bransty Rangers Juniors took part.

Teams from Morton Manor, Dalston, Abbeytown and Pirelli FC also made the trip.

Lewthwaite said: “Everybody loved it, the kids, parents, coaches, we got lots of positive feedback.”

Role models for the aspiring football stars were in attendance including Workington AFC First Team players Dav Symington, Sam Smith, Kieran Casson and Jordan Little.

Goalkeeper James Trafford who has played for Manchester City and comes from Greysouthen, made a special appearance.

Some of the youngsters who took part in the grassroots football festival could also be destined for big things in the sport.

“Some of them were unbelievable.”

Lewthwaite said: “The cup challenge was won by Pirelli, a really good little side, we were really impressed with them.”

Bransty Rangers were victorious in the plate competition, beating Gosforth in the final.

“It’s all about development at that age results are secondary but they look really good going forward.”

Workington AFC Foundation has plenty of plans in store for the future as Workington Reds look to build on their community work.

Lewthwaite said: “That’s all part of it, the community side. The club has a big responsibility to the community.”

Under 10 players will be given the chance to play at Borough Park in two weeks time.

The grassroots football festivals are part of an events programme at Workington AFC, celebrating the club’s centenary year.