Over 50 teams from around the country headed to Wembley on Monday to represent their respective County Football Associations, with Peterborough-based Netherton United heading south for Northamptonshire.
The FA National Mini-Soccer Festival kicked-off with 3 fixtures at local playing fields Northwick Park, where the days sponsors McDonalds also ran a series inflatable fun-based skills stations, as well as coaching courses led by former Manchester United Youth Coach Eric Harrison.
Also in place was the FA Community Shield trophy, fresh from Gary Neville lifting it the day before.
Northamptonshire representatives Netherton United arrived on mass, bringing over 60 players, parents and clubs officials, a fantastic achievement in itself.
In fact one such player, Liam O'Connor, even interrupted his family holiday in Spain to fly back just for the day, not wanting to miss out on this once in a lifetime chance to grace the Wembley turf.
A fantastic day was had by all, and I personally would like to thank Netherton for welcoming me into their group for what was a very special day.
A further article on the day’s events will appear in the next issue of new county magazine, Touchline.