by Robert MacDonald
TIMPERLEY-based Unicorn Athletic Junior FC have won a girls football mini-league contest held at West Didsbury & Chorlton FC for clubs in the south Manchester and Trafford area.
Unicorn’s U15 team, managed by Alan Kilvert, won the mini-league title while the Unicorn U14 team, managed by Hugo Bradley, were runners-up.
The spring-summer tournament involved girls teams from Hough End Griffins, Kingsway Athletic, Longford Girls and two teams from Unicorn Athletic. Players among the different clubs come from areas including Didsbury, Withington, Chorlton, Whalley Range Burnage, Levenshulme, Sale, Timperley and Wythenshawe.
Final matches were played at West Didsbury’s ground on Saturday, July 6, followed by a social with pizzas, speeches and trophy presentation in the club house.
The Unicorn girls were presented with the mini-league trophy by Robbie MacDonald, manager of Hough End U15 Girls, who organised the five-week tournament with support from Tim Manley and Rob McKay of West Didsbury & Chorlton FC.
Tim Manley thanked all the teams and parents for supporting the tournament, which brought a few extra weeks of excitement and fun after the official league season had ended. Around 60 girls took part in the mini league matches from across five teams. The girls had shown great commitment and efforts, and are a credit to all their clubs, coaches, families and supporters.
Robbie said: “We’ve had lots of good feedback about the mini-league and may look to hold it again next year. It took a lot of work to organise but it’s been really satisfying to see all the girls teams taking part. They epitomise the best of girls grassroots football and I’ve got the greatest respect for all of them.
Congratulations to Alan Kilvert and his Unicorn U15 team for winning the trophy. My team, Hough End, have played Unicorn and these other girls teams a number of times over recent seasons and we are all on good terms. So I really appreciate their support for the mini league. There has been a real buzz about these matches and Saturday’s final games and social were really enjoyable.
“I’ve also got to thank West Didsbury & Chorlton FC for generously providing tournament pitches and facilities, including the club house for the social event, along with help and advice.”
The mini league tournament complemented West Didsbury’s move to expand girls and women’s football for all ages and abilities.
The club’s two senior women’s teams have both won their respective leagues this season. Now the club is keen to develop its grassroots activities with younger girls.
As part of this, Hough End under-15 Girls are transferring to West Didsbury to help form a new West Didsbury & Chorlton under-16 Girls squad for the new 2019-20 season. The club is also becoming a centre for the new FA Wildcats network, which promotes football for primary school-age girls through fun activities and a range of games. This scheme is aimed at girls of all abilities including those who have never played before. Girls organisations such as Rainbows and Brownies can also get involved.
For details on all girls and women’s football activities, please get in touch with West Didsbury & Chorlton.
