AN elite band of Macclesfield's finest young footballers are aiming to salvage England's pride in Europe when they travel to Sweden to compete in the Gothia World Youth Soccer Tournament next month.

Macc Tigers under-10s will take 22 players and parents to Gothenburg, where teams from South America, USA, Africa and Europe will do battle on Scandinavian soil in one of the largest youth tournaments held anywhere on the continent.

To put the competition into context, the opening ceremony is expected to attract a 42,000 capacity crowd at the Ullevi Stadium, where only last month, Valencia and Marseilles contested the UEFA Cup Final. Over 1,500 teams will compete over six days, and over 500,000 players have participated since the first competition in 1975 including ex-Liverpool and Scotland defender Steve Nicol, former Aston Villa striker Alan McNally and Bolivian US Major League star Marco Etcheverry.

Macc Tigers, who have just completed a successful season in the league and cup, will face Swedish clubs Hammarby IF and IK Zenith and FC Laufen from Switzerland in the group stages.

Manager Doug Campbell said although his side will be among the youngest in the tournament, he is confident the experience will help their footballing development.

He said: "Although the emphasis of youth football is in competing and not winning, we are fortunate enough to have a wonderful group of accomplished footballers."

"I believe that participation in this event will give the boys a unique footballing experience which will remain with them no matter where their sporting skills take them in the future."

As well as the football, Macc Tigers will also take in the vast tented Gothia Heden Centre in central Gothenburg which will be allow them to mix with footballers from all over the world.

The side have been raising money and sponsorship for the last eight months to afford the trip and local businesses The Woodman Pub, Astra Zeneca, Dales Contractors and Macclesfield Borough Council have all helped to fund costs for travel, accommodation and equipment.

  • Any players who would like to join Macc Tigers next season should contact Doug Campbell on 01625 421344.