AROUND 700 young football players from across Gwent packed the grounds of Chepstow Town FC in a competition to raise funds for the club.

The annual tournament invited teams for a round robin competition of 10 minute games across ten pitches, on Sunday, with 75 teams from across Newport, Coed Eva, Monmouthshire and Liswerry attending.

Now in its 10th year, the event attracted over 1,500 parents, players and family members, and was co-organised by 40-year-old fire fighter Paul Beynon.

“We had people all the way around the pitches and at the top end of the grounds there was an entertainment area that offered hairspray and temporary tattoos,” he said.

“It ran without a hitch and I would like to thank the many people involved including our sponsors and club stalwart Matthew Pinchard who lives and breathes the club.”

Mr Beynon, of Larkfield Park, is also involved as a youth coach for the team, with nine-year-old son Joe Beynon being a youth member since the age of four.

Despite not totalling the amount raised in the tournament, the dad described it as a “very profitable day” for the club due to the huge support of clubs and their families.

He added: “The ethos of the club has always been that anybody can come and play football and it’s all about having fun.

“It’s about getting them to experience being part of a team and you could see that coming across on this day and you can see that common thread running through all of the youngsters.

“There was such a buzz on the day and it was a really positive experience for everyone involved.”

For more information search “Chepstow Town Football Club” on Facebook.