Press Release

Shell Foyle Cup Tournament

Wednesday, 09 June 2004.

Details of the Section Draws for this year’s Shell Foyle Cup were released yesterday (Wednesday 9thJune) when Special Guest of Honour Craig Brown (ex Scotland International manager) officially launched this year’s event.

Brown, presently managing Preston North End F.C. praised the Derry & District Youth Football Association for their efforts in organising a top class tournament. “ Those involved in professional football, ambition to get the experience of playing in European competition and to think that kids as young as 12 are getting that experience here in this city, is just wonderful – and not just against European opposition but against quality teams from across Europe. The presence of teams such as Paris St Germain, Montpellier, Sporting Lokeren, Fercenvaros, IFK Gothenburgh, Brescia – to name but a few - certainly makes this tournament stand out as one of the finest festivals of football in Europe. ”

The Shell Foyle Cup tournament will be held in Derry City from 6th July until 10th July and this year teams from Italy, France, Holland, Germany, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and America will be joining with teams from all over the U.K. and Ireland for the honour of winning this highly respected tournament. Teams will compete at age 12,14,16,18 and for the first time ever a Ladies competition will be included.

The Mayor, Cllr Gerry O'hEara has welcomed the Shell Foyle Cup. He commented :

" Organised by the Derry and District Youth Football Association, the Foyle Cup has gone from strength to strength since it was first initiated 12 years ago. This year almost 80 teams are expected to participate in the tournament, a remarkable achievement when one considers how it began as a one day event with 8 teams taking part. With an additional two categories in 2004, this year's event will now cater for older players and for the first time, ladies.

" I would like to pay tribute to the Association members for having the foresight and commitment to organise such a fantastic sporting event. It is vitally important that we work together as a community to encourage our young people to get involved in and
enjoy sport. I am delighted to see teams travelling from as far as France, Denmark and the USA to this event and I hope they enjoy taking part in the tournament and have an enjoyable visit to the North West region.

Tournament sponsors Shell’s representative, Stephen Adamson expressed his company’s delight in being involved with the event. “ This is our 4th year of sponsorship of this event and we commend the organisers for the professional manner in which the event is organised.”

Speaking at the launch Vice Chairman of the Northern Ireland Events Company, Ian Lee, commented, “ The Events Company is delighted to support this tremendous event for a third year. Over the years it has given us a marvellous opportunity to welcome many visitors to Northern Ireland and I look forward to another exciting tournament.”

The tournament had its humble beginnings as a one day, 8 team event in 1992 and this year 92 teams will compete in the 5 day event.

Mr Hutton, Chairman of the Organising Committee in expressing his delight with this year’s entry stated, “ More and more teams from Europe and beyond are expressing an interest in coming to compete in the event. That is why each year we have had to expand the number of entries into the competition. There can be no doubt that we have reached our potential in terms of the number of entries with 92 teams competing this year but we will not be resting on our laurels. We are determined to further develop the tournament by seeking more quality entries from Europe and the rest of the world. This tournament was initiated to give Irish kids the opportunity to play against quality teams from all over the world. Each year we insist that 50% of our entries should come from Irish Clubs and at the same time we are determined to develop more contacts in Europe.”

Mr Hutton, in highlighting the support afforded the event by sponsors added, “ It is certainly rewarding for us to be involved with government departments in promoting all that is good about our country and in particular the Derry City Council area by attracting so many visitors to the city for the duration of the event. We know we are putting our city on the map all across Europe and beyond. Visitors leave this city each year happy and content in the manner in which the event has been organised; with an increased love of our city and its people and delighted that many friendships have been established which will be maintained for many years to come.

But with the best will in the world, the voluntary efforts of our Association would not be enough to stage an event of this magnitude. I would like to record our thanks to all our sponsors, major and subsidiary - Derry City Council, Shell, Northern Ireland Events Company, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Sports Council for N.Ireland, Department for Social Development, Limavady Borough Council, W.E.L.B, Umbro, Derry District Sports Council, Derry Journal ,Derry Credit Union, Diamond Corrugated Cases, Alec Orr Motor Factors, Bradley and Mc Daid, Pennyburn Credit Union, James A.McHugh and the local Visitor & Convention Bureau.”

For more details on the event and the Section Draws visit the tournament website www.foylecup.com or tel 71359734.

Shell Foyle Cup Section Draws

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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