Rio interest just about shades it
Rio Ferdinand was a surprise visitor at the Snodland Tournament.
No one could quite believe it when the former Manchester United and England defender arrived at Potyns Sportsground on Saturday.
He was there to watch his son, who played for a young Sevenoaks team and happily posed for pictures and signed autographs.
Dave Jeal, one of the tournament organisers, said: “We had no idea he was coming along.
“He sat at the side of the pitch in his little chair watching his son like any normal parent.
“Of all the players in my time, he’s one of the biggest.
“I can’t think of many bigger than Rio Ferdinand other than maybe David Beckham.
“If you’re an ex-England and Manchester United player turning up at a tournament like that then you are going to get asked for autographs and pictures but he was accommodating and seemed a decent guy.”
More than 130 teams took part over two days, competing in every age group from under- 6s to under-18s.
A busy weekend in scorching temperatures saw 6,000 players and spectators pass through the gates for Snodland’s sixth summer tournament.
Jeal said: “As always, the tournament couldn’t go ahead without all the hard work in difficult conditions from the many committee members, managers, coaches and friends. “Thank you so much to all
of them and also our Landscapes.
“Lastly, our thanks goes out to all those that took the time to compliment us on a great tournament and the quality of our pitches, which makes it all worthwhile.” Results: Under- 6s: MPE 2 Hempstead Valley Chargers 0; Under-7s: Sevenoaks Town 1 Cuxton 91 Avengers 0; Under- 8s: Ditton Minors 3 West Kent 0; Under- 9s: Crayford Arrows Red 1 Teviot Rangers Blue 0; Under-10s: Crayford Arrows Red 0 Welling 0 – Crayford won 3-1 on penalties; Under-11s: Sittingbourne Lions Whites 0 FC Tempo Youth 1; Under-12s: FC Tempo Youth 1 Chipstead 0; Under-13s: Erith & Belvedere 1 Thamesview 0; Under-14s: K Sports 2 Hempstead Valley B 0; Under-15s: Rochester 0 Hartley de Sales 0 – Hartley won 4-3 on penalties; Under-16s: Snodland Town Colts 0 Borough Green Colts 0 – Borough Green won 4-1 on penalties; Under-18s: Woodcoombe A 3 Woodcoombe B 0. sponsor, GI