Ledbury Swifts U9s collected their medals for securing runners up in the Herefordshire U9s Junior Football League at Edgar Street, the home of Hereford United Football Club.

Later that day Ledbury Swifts U9s competed in the Ken Long tournament. The event is held annually and is in memory of Mr Ken Long who was the first president of Ledbury Swifts Football Club.

The tournament comprised four sides, Hinton, a Hereford-based side, Newtown Sports from Malvern, Highnam, who play in the Gloucestershire League, and the hosts Ledbury Swifts.

The format consisted of two semi finals with the two losers contesting a third/fourth place final whilst the two winners competed for first and second.

In the first semi final Hinton were drawn against Newtown Sports. Newtown Sports were the first to score and led 1-0 at half time.

In the second half Newtown Sports secured their place in the final by adding two further goals against a physical Hinton side. In the final minutes Hinton scored a consolation goal.

In the other semi final Ledbury Swifts entertained Highnam. Highnam started the brighter of the two sides and the Swifts defenders of Ben Smith and Neil Green had to be at their best to contain the lively strikers. Highnam were the quicker of the two sides and the Swifts midfield of Jack Cooney, Gavin Walton and Adam Paske were given no time to settle on the ball. Swifts struggled to maintain any form of possession and were pushed further back into their own half. It came as no surprise when Highnam took the lead, a fierce shot which keeper Alex Parker did well to parry, was tapped home by the Highnam striker who was first to react to the opportunity. Highnam continued to push forward and could have scored on two further occasions but were thwarted by brave defending from Neil Green and Ben Smith.

At half time Swifts made a number of changes in order to try and rescue the game. Gavin Walton took over in goal, AJ Smith in defence and Jonathen Mowday and Charlie Barrett came into midfield. The change in the Swifts side was dramatic. With AJ Smith and Gavin Walton making an immediate impact in the Swifts defence, the Ledbury side were able to test the opposition. Sam Keetch scored Swifts' first goal with a delicate chip over the Highnam keeper. Adam Paske then set up the next two goals for the Swifts, Jonathen Mowday scoring with a left foot shot and Sam Keetch adding a third. Highnam tried to respond but the tough tackling Swifts midfield of Charlie Barrett and Jack Cooney were quick to counter the threat posed from Highnam.

The third/fourth place play off was the most one-sided game of the whole tournament. Highnam scored five goals in the first half and added a further five in the second half to complete a miserable day for the Hereford side.

In the final, Newtown Sports met Ledbury. In front of a large crowd it was the Ledbury side that settled quicker, Ben Smith and Neil Green continued their excellent form at the heart of the Swifts defence. The midfield trio of Adam Paske, Gavin Walton and Jack Cooney gained the upper hand forcing Newtown to defend deep in their own half. A long throw from Gavin Walton was volleyed home by Sam Keetch to give the Swifts a well-deserved lead. Newtown pushed forward and in a rare attack secured an equaliser just before half time.

At half time Swifts again rang the changes with AJ Smith coming into defence, Adam Paske taking over goal keeping duties and Jonathen Mowday and Charlie Barret slipping into the midfield. Gavin Walton created a number of problems for the Newtown defence down the right wing. Jonathen Mowday's cross was fired home by Sam Keetch to give the Swifts a lead they were never to lose. Adam Paske made a brave save as Newtown threatened briefly at the end of the game. AJ Smith, Charlie Barrett and Jack Cooney were excellent in defence as the Swifts secured the Ken Long Trophy to bring it back home to Ledbury for the first time in three years.

Ledbury Swifts U9s would like to thank their sponsor Terry Witherstone for his generosity throughout an extremely successful season.