BUDDING football stars from across Herefordshire showed their talents in Europe with great success.

Some 60 youngsters from the county's schools and local clubs joined together recently to form four age group sides for Hereford Lions' 41st trip to the International Youth Tournament in Holland held at FC Brederodes Club.

They competed against sides from Holland, Belgium & Romania.

Organisers Stuart Sheehan & Kevin Morris said that the boys did Herefordshire and the UK proud and that it was the best group of boys they have taken on the tour.

The under-15’s & 17’s finished second in their age groups after losing out on penalties on the final day.

However, the under-13’s and 19’s won their completion finishing as champions.

Herefordshire teams scored more goal overall than any of their counterparts and also won overall making them the champions of the tournament.

The management team gave an award to one player from each side that best represented the attributes as a Hereford footballer on and of the field, the the winners of these were: under-13’s Josh Phillips, under-15’s Will Thomas, under-17’s Austin Thomas and under-19’s Bastion Spriel.

Organiser Morris said: "There was tough opposition with five Dutch and Romanian teams formed of local teams and football academies.

"Our lads did very well and over-achieved as we had to take some younger players due to the school exams. Hereford Lions Club would like to thank the sponsors of this year's tour, without their support we would not be able to run such a trip."