Mowbray Rangers side claims international triumph

The Mowbray club this year introduced an adult match between the match officials and parents/managers in memory of Duncan who died last July having officiated in eight successive Mowbray festivals.

The match finished with a presentation to the winning parents and managers team by Duncan’s wife Nichola and son Ben.

Rangers club chairman Phil Baker said: “Duncan is greatly missed in football by the club and within Leicestershire, and the club wanted to pay tribute to him.”

Mowbray’s good friends Etoile, from Lille in Northern France, again provided the international flavour in the junior competition with teams from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland also taking part.

A high standard of football was played with sportsmanship over the two days, supported by 12 Leicestershire and Rutland FA referees.

The under 12s category was closely-fought and won by Mowbray Rangers Lions with four wins and a draw in their five games for a total 13 points.

In what was a good weekend for the Asfordby Hill club, Mowbray Rangers Jaguars finished second with 11 points.

Rutland’s One Touch Football were under 13s champions for the second season running after winning all five of their matches, with Glenfield United the runners-up.

The tournament closed with presentations to all teams.

Phil added: “The festival would not have been such a success without the ongoing support of the festival sponsors, Mowbray parents who hosted our French friends, match officials, players and club officials.

“Also the volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the festival both in setting up on the Friday, the two days of the event, and the final clear-up afterwards.”