Port Vale links up with Keele International Youth Tournament
The UK’s biggest youth football tournament takes place this week (Wednesday through Saturday) at Keele University Sports Centre. There are over 300 teams across a range of ages taking part. Teams are not only from the UK, but Ireland, Europe, Africa and America and there will be over 10,000 participants over the four days.
Last year, Port Vale’s U17s won their age section for pro-teams and this year the club has seven teams at different age groups entered.
Alongside the football there is a small event show and the club are pleased to be having a stand there on Thursday and Friday. The aim is not only to promote the club to a wider audience but also to raise revenue from the sale of merchandise.
Port Vale’s Sevvy Aslam said of the tournament: “There is an element of different styles of football and different challenges. It would be very difficult to get all of our age groups fixtures, arrange venues and referees etc.
“The fact that it is all done in the space of a few days and the fact that it is on our doorstep makes it easy for us and we are able to give match minutes to the lads, which is important for their development.“