JUNIOR SHORTS

NEWCASTLE United Foundation is staging a series of weekly football courses for boys and girls aged four to 16 this autumn.

The courses run from September 16 to October 21 or September 17 to October 22 and cost £27 and £38.

Venues are Goals Newcastle, The Parks in North Shields, Cardinal Hume School in Gateshead and Lemington NU Foundation Centre.

For more details, or to enrol, ring 0844 372 1892 or e-mail foundation@nufc.co.uk. ■■THE first round of the 2017-18 McDonald’s NFA Under-15 Boys’ Cup will be staged on Sunday. September 17. Ties: Tynemouth United Magpies v Bedlington Vipers, Bedlington Green v Wideopen and District Wanderers, Wallsend BC v Newcastle EE Blues, Monkseaton v Ellington, Newcastle EE Reds v Whitley Bay SC Yellows, Montagu and North Fenham Bues v Cramlington United Leopards, Montagu and North Fenham Yellows v Stocksfield, Rothbury v Ponteland United Panthers, Wallsend Community v Whitley Bay SC Whites, North Shields Reds v Walker Central Whites, North Shields v New Fordley, Hexham v Ashington CFC, Montagu and North Fenham Reds v RHF Kites, Newcastle Benfield v Haydon Bridge, Blyth Town Cosmos v Walker Central Blues, Blyth Spartans v Cramlington United Tigers, Berwick Rangers v Cramlington and North Shields Athletic v Cullercoats. ■■THE Apollo Doors Gateshead Youth League’s Under-16 Division kicked off today with Alnwick Town hosting Ashington, Cleveland Hall facing Whickham, Consett Eagles meeting Ryton and Montagu and North Fenham Blues taking on Felling. ■■THE first round of the Tynemet College NFA Rangers Cup for under-16 sides is scheduled for Sunday, October 1. Ties are Team Gosforth Feyenoord v Newcastle City Milan and Cram Town Whites v Blyth Town (both 1.30pm).