The tournament is set to be the country’s biggest stand alone mini extravaganza – with up to 300 teams taking part.

The venue for the festival is the brand new £4.7 million state of the art Salford Sports Village, just a stone’s throw from 20-year-old Bardsley’s former family home and where he used to watch his dad in a local Sunday league.

Teams from all over the North West will be heading for the Littleton Road complex on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August. Age groups are under-seven to under-ten with a separate girls’ only section for under-ten and under-12 teams.

This truly unique competition concentrates solely on youth football and has an ethos far removed from other tournaments organised in the North West - the fair play ethos meaning that there is no overall winner.

 

Fair play markings are awarded by match referees bringing football back to its roots with the main objectives being enjoyment and respecting the game and its players.

Speaking about the festival, Philip Heap, Festival Manager said:

“The Salford Mini Soccer Festival has evolved from the Manchester FA Mini Soccer Festival, which was held for the first time in 2001.

“The overwhelming success of last summer’s festival will be hard to beat, but all partners are dedicated to providing a dynamic annual festival of football for the growing number of junior clubs committed to providing quality playing opportunities for young people.”

 

Clubs interested in taking part can download application details from www.salfordminisoccerfestival.co.uk or telephone the Manchester FA on 0161 604 7620 to receive a festival pack.