West End set to host pre-season tournament featuring six local clubs

Sunderland West End joint-manager Keith Graydon is hoping to see Wearside-based football supporters getting behind a pre-season tournament hosted by the Ebac Northern League club.

Six clubs will take part in a festival of football at Ford Quarry Football Hub between Friday and Saturday, July 2-10, as Graydon and fellow joint-manager Steven Stewart kickoff their preparations for their first full season in charge of the Division Two club.

West End have been drawn in Group A alongside Division One club Seaham Red Star and Wearside League side Silksworth CW, whilst Group B contains another Division One club in Ryhope CW and Division Two duo Easington Colliery and Chester-le-Street Town.

Gray don revealed the thinking behind hosting the competition and is looking forward to getting a look at his squad ahead of the new Ebac Northern League season.

Gray don said :“We have put together this tournament to try and generate some cash into the club and we know we have the facilities to host it at Ford Quarry. It’s going to be a decent tournament and we have tried to keep it as local as possible.

“Hopefully, it will attract supporters from the area and show what we are about as a club. We have a good mix of clubs in each group and, for us it’s a good test.

“We played Silksworth in a friendly a few months ago and they play football in the right way. Then there is Sea ham Red Star, and they always provide a tough test for everyone. We are hoping to get a couple of decent signing sin soi twill be a good chance to have a look at them too.”

West End have also confirmed they will host a charity game between a team of club legends and the current side.

The game will take place in memory of Leon He the ring ton, who passed away at the age of 36 last year following along battle with muscular dystrophy.

The match will be played on Friday, June 25 (7pm) at Ford Quarry, with all proceeds going to St Benedict’s Hospice.

*Former Newcastle United youngster Joe Kerridge has become the latest new addition at Ebac Northern League club Seaham Red Star.

Mark Collingwood moved to bring in the 24- year-old forward as he continues to over haul his squad ahead of a return to pre-season next week.

Kerridge came through the United academy alongside the likes of Callum Roberts and DanBarlaser–butwasreleased by the Magpies in March 2015.