A WINSFORD football club is hoping to launch a major youth tournament to celebrate the millennium.

Over Three Youth FC are hoping to get sponsorship to enable them to hold a 'Millennium Festival of Football' across Vale Royal in the year 2000 - and carry it on as an annual event.

Jackie Johnson, Over's fundraising co-ordinator, is hoping that the 10th anniversary of the pioneering club can provide the ideal double celebration for the borough's youth football.

She has already met with the borough council, who have promised backing, but sponsorship money is a large priority to get the event kick-started.

Jackie said: "We're in need of sponsorship because there is a massive amount of work to be done.

"As Over's tenth anniversary falls in the year of the millennium, it seems apt to combine the two occasions.

"We believe that this event could create a niche for an annual event that could eventually expand to include other sporting areas, bringing prosperity to the borough as a whole through tourism."

Jackie's aim, along with Over FC secretary Cheryl Fitzsimmons, is to cater for age groups from under-eights to under-16s, including girls.

The tournament will take place all over Vale Royal, including Knights Grange, in August 2000. They hope to stage the final at Wincham Park, home of Witton Albion.

Sponsorship is currently being sought from local businesses and the FA, Sports Council and Lottery Donations Board.

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