RYLANDS chairman Mark Pye says Sunday’s welcoming of a Chinese junior team to Gorsey Lane made him “really proud.”

The Shanghai-based Dulwich Earthquakes visited as part of their trip to the UK with Terra Nova School and played in matches against Rylands’ under nines and under 11s teams.

What resulted was two entertaining games of football, with plenty of goals on all sides, and a great experience gained by both sets of players.

Pye hopes the visit paves the way for a deeper relationship between the two clubs.

“It was great to be able to host the Dulwich Earthquakes for a really entertaining morning of football,” he said.

“I was also really proud to see the kids from both teams mixing together in the clubhouse.

“I’m sure it’s an experience that everyone involved will remember for a long time.

“We spoke about the potential to form a partnership between the two clubs and we’re looking forward to working together and hopefully crossing paths again in the near future.”

Carl Edwards, Dulwich’s director of soccer, said the Gorsey Lane club had made their visit to the town “memorable.”

“Our hosts treated us with great competition and a strong feel of community support,” he said.

“Thank you to the staff, players and members of Rylands FC for making our trip to Warrington memorable.

“We look forward to building our relationship to provide further opportunities for development.”