FOUR young footballers fought wind and rain to represent Huntingdon at a local tournament on May 29. Lewis Brightman, Ben Chapman, Matthew Foy and Lawrence Wilson, all under eight years old, took part in the Cambridge United Youth Development In-House Tou

FOUR young footballers fought wind and rain to represent Huntingdon at a local tournament on May 29.

Lewis Brightman, Ben Chapman, Matthew Foy and Lawrence Wilson, all under eight years old, took part in the Cambridge United Youth Development In-House Tournament against nine other teams from Cambridgeshire.

The tournament was part of the Cambridge United Youth Development scheme and featured teams representing areas including Ely, March and parts of Cambridge. Sponsored by Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants Ltd, the scheme offers training to boys aged between eight and 19 who could be the professional footballers of the future.

Matthew Foy has been offered a place in the scheme's Centre of Excellence for under nines in the 2007/2008 season, during which he can develop and perfect his football skills.

Teams played each other in rotation so that the youngsters could play against other footballers with different levels of ability. Youth Development provides a stream of professionally trained recruits for the first team each season, and many members go on to play for football clubs across the country.

Steve Lilley, of Cambridge United Youth Development, said: "It has been another fantastic season and the guys have played their hearts out. You can really see their passion for the game on a day like today, and with Ridgeons backing us, we'll be back again in the autumn for a new season - hopefully with better weather!"

Steve Stutton, marketing director of Ridgeons, commented: "The Youth Development Scheme is a great initiative, and we're proud to be associated with it.