AS a Covid-hit junior football season ends, news is confirmed that one of the biggest leagues in the country will have another dimension next season.

The coronavrius pandemic brought a stop-start campaign for the Warrington Junior Football League and Warrington Girls Football League, but the season concluded on a high note at the weekend with the last of a series of cup finals featuring teams from across Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

The two leagues, which are under the same administration umbrella, boast more than 12,000 youngsters competing in age groups from under sevens to under 18s.

While a fresh number of applications have been received to join the leagues next season, two new leagues are to be formed as well – the Warrington Saturday League for ages 14 and above and also a development competition.

Highlight of the 2020/21 season has been the cup matches, with league competitions having to be scrapped and friendlies played instead.

Cup finals have been played out over a series of weekends at the grounds of Warrington Rylands 1906 and Earlestown Athletic.

They have provided the opportunity to raise funds for charity too.

All proceeds from programme sales have been donated to The Rose Blossom Trust, who are raising awareness for children who suffer from Dravet Syndrome.

All of the participating players in the leagues this season will receive a medal.

Cup-winning teams include (boys unless stated): Wigan Junior Latics Yellows U9s, Rainford Rangers FC Inter U9s, Hindley Green FC United U10s, Bleak Hill Rovers FC Rangers U10s, Earlestown Athletic JFC Stingers U10s girls, Pilkington Jnrs FC Celtic U11s, Rainhill Rockets U12s, Bold Rangers Wildcats Allstars U12s, Golborne Sports U13s, Seneley and Garswood JFC Eagles U13s, Irlam JFC U14s, Golborne Sports JFC Giants U14s, Heath Rangers JFC Dragons U15s, Rylands FC Real U15s, Bootle Bucks FC Bucks U16s, FC Britannia U16s, The Herald JFC Burscough U17s, Rainford Rangers FC 75 U17s, Newton Le Willows FC Aces U18s. Note: Some results not declared on the leagues’ website at the time of publishing.

n CALL-OUT: Teams who have played in this season’s cup finals can send brief details and pictures for publication. Sent to the sports editor via email, mike.parsons@nqnw.co.uk, as soon as is possible.