Hatters Cup proves a big hit

Over 1,500 youngsters from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, London and the southern counties competed over three days in the biggest tournament of its kind in southern England.

James Hatch, Town’s football development officer, who organised the event on behalf of the club’s Community Trust, said: “We are so grateful to our sponsors Arriva and the club in allowing all of these youngsters access on to the pitch.

“It’s the chance of a lifetime for some of them to play on the famous surface and the memories they take away are priceless.”

There were two all-Bedfordshire finals in the U9 and U12 competitions with Cranfield winning the U9 event on a sudden death penalty shoot-out against GP United and AFC Dunstable beating Westoning 3-0 in the U12 section.

For the full story and list of results, see the News/Gazette on sale tomorrow.