A fantastic festival of football

The Cringleford International Cup attracted 128 teams, over 1,000 players, and around 3,000 spectators to two days of fantastic football at Easton College.

“Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with coaches, parents, and players praising the standard of play, the atmosphere, the smooth organisation, and the unique format that ensures every team has something to play for on both days,” said Ben Hogg, one of the delighted organisers. “It was a true celebration of grassroots football, bringing together boys, girls, and mixed teams from across the region and beyond.”

He added: “For us at Cringleford Junior FC, it’s never just about the results, but about the whole experience. This year we welcomed the furthest travellers in the UK, Fletcher Moss from Manchester, and internationally, Rouen Sapins and US Grammont from Rouen, France (Norwich’s twin city).

“We also hosted a side supporting young asylum seekers from Kuwait and Iraq, and seven all-girls teams competing alongside boys’ sides. The smiles, sportsmanship, and friendships formed are what make this event so special.

“But none of it would be possible without the army of CJFC volunteers who give up their time to make sure every detail is covered.”

Cringleford teams enjoyed a strong showing on the pitch. The U9 Lions claimed gold on both Saturday and in Sunday’s Tier 1, with the U9 Panthers taking silver in Sunday Tier 2, and the U14 Lions securing silver in Sunday Tier 2. The club celebrated a Fair Play award for the U9 Lionesses, alongside podium finishes for several other age groups.

Awards were presented by: Paul Kendrick – Lord Mayor of Norwich; Wes Hoolahan – Norwich City legend; Rosie Filbie – Norfolk FA Wildcats Lead; Kathryn Cross – Vice-Chair, South Norfolk Council;  Deborah Sacks – Chair, South Norfolk Council; Ben Goldsborough – MP for South Norfolk;    Bob Young – Chair, Norfolk & Norwich Koblenz FA and Bert Bremner – Chair, Norfolk & Norwich Rouen FA.

In a pre-tournament game Cringleford Coaches were beaten 6-3 by their Rouen Counterparts but charity was the winner as the match raised £500 for the Joe Dix Foundation, supporting awareness around youth violence and child criminal exploitation.

THE DAYS OF THEIR LIVES: Young footballers enjoy the magic of the Cringleford Cup. Photos: LW Photography.

AWARD-WINNERS

U7: Gold – Wymondham Falcons (Sat), Ely Crusaders Blue (Sun Tier 2), Brandon (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Isleham Blacks (Sat), East Harling Stallions (Sun Tier 2), FPG (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – FPG (Sat), Thorpe St Andrew Pumas (Sun Tier 2), Isleham Blacks (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Isleham Blacks.Best Attack – FPG. Fair Play – Little Melton.

U8: Gold – Norwich Eagles (Sat), Mulbarton Vipers (Sun Tier 2), Sprowston Tigers (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Sprowston Tigers (Sat), Ware Lions Greys (Sun Tier 2), Norwich Eagles (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – Ipswich Exiles Whites (Sat), Cringleford Warriors (Sun Tier 2), Wivenhoe Wanderers (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Ipswich Exiles Whites. Best Attack – Sprowston Tigers. Fair Play – Canvey Island Leopards.

U9: Gold – Cringleford Lions (Sat), Rustington Blues (Sun Tier 2), Cringleford Lions (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Costessey Hawks (Sat), Cringleford Panthers (Sun Tier 2), Carterton (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – Rustington Yellow (Sat), Dersingham (Sun Tier 2), Hastings United Clarets (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Alvis.

Best Attack – Costessey Hawks. Fair Play – Cringleford Lionesses U10.

U10: Gold – Carvalho International (Sat), West Lynn Blacks (Sun Tier 2), Caister (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Maidstone United (Sat), Wymondham Falcons (Sun Tier 2), Carvalho International (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – Caister (Sat), Askern Minors (Sun Tier 2), Maidstone United (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Maidstone United. Best Attack – Maidstone United.

Fair Play – North Walsham Angels U11s.

U11: Gold – Wroxham (Sat), Alvis Eagles (Sun Tier 2), Wroxham (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Sprowston Eagles (Sat), Carvalho International U10 (Sun Tier 2), Costessey Falcons (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – Huntingdon Town (Sat), US Grammont (Sun Tier 2), Coachee Academy U10 (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Wroxham. Best Attack – Sprowston Eagles.

Fair Play – Loddon Utd U12 Girls.

U12: Gold – Haverhill Rovers U11 (Sat), Sprowston Falcons Orange (Sun Tier 2), Ipswich Exiles Whites (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Heigham Wolves (Sat), Hethersett (Sun Tier 2), Haverhill Rovers U11 (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – Rouen Sapins (Sat), Norwich Eagles (Sun Tier 2), Rouen Sapins (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Taverham Hustle Queens U13. Best Attack – Heigham Wolves. Fair Play – Ipswich Exiles Whites & Jokers.

U13: Gold – Haverhill Rovers (Sat), Spixworth Blues (Sun Tier 2), Haverhill Rovers (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Drayton Grange Blacks (Sat), Poringland Wanderers Greens (Sun Tier 2), Norwich Eagles (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – Norwich Eagles (Sat), Cringleford Panthers (Sun Tier 2), Drayton Grange Blacks (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Costessey Dragons

Best Attack – Haverhill Rovers. Fair Play – Taverham Goal Diggers U14 Girls.

U14: Gold – Colchester R’s (Sat), Rouen Sapins (Sun Tier 2), Bedfont Eagles (Sun Tier 1). Silver – Huntingdon Town (Sat), Cringleford Lions (Sun Tier 2), Colchester R’s (Sun Tier 1). Bronze – Bedfont Eagles (Sat), Bungay Blackdogs (Sun Tier 2), Huntingdon Town (Sun Tier 1). Best Defence – Colchester R’s & Bedfont.

Best Attack – Colchester R’s.