YOUTH football teams from Hereford marked the 40th anniversary of an international tournament in Holland by returning home as tournament champions.

Hereford Lions Club has been taking four teams of county youngsters for 39 years and it is estimated that over the years more than 2,000 young footballers have benefitted from the experience of playing in a European-based series of matches.

In the four age groups it was the Under 12’s who won the glory for Hereford by winning their section, with the other three teams each taking the runners-up spot in their group finals and earning enough points to give Hereford the overall tournament title – an accolade they have won on several occasions in the past.

Organiser Stuart Sheehan, from the Lions Club, said it was the best ever tournament staged by the Brederodes Football Club with the Hereford contingent performing brilliantly both on and off the pitch.

“All the boys were great ambassadors for Hereford,” he said. The teams are hosted by local families.

To mark the 40th anniversary, Hereford Lions planted an oak tree in the stadium.