Fair play is the message

From the archive, first published Tuesday 24th Apr 2007.

Thackley and Eccleshill are organising a series of junior football competitions to encourage fair play.

They are using the soccer4s format, which consists of short four-a-side matches with no goalkeepers, no throw-ins and no referees.

Organiser Tom Allen, of Thackley Juniors, said: "In 11-a-side matches, some kids don't get a touch of the ball.

"This format allows maximum involvement and, because there are no refs, it promotes fair play and honesty. It is a formula which is popular in Europe."

The sessions, for mixed-age groups, start tomorrow with under-tens and under-13s at Eccleshill.