SOLIHULL NEW NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Midlands Side Wins 2010 National Small Sided Football Tournament

On a rain soaked May day at Cannock, top Midlands outfit Solihull beat local favourites Cannock to become the new UK National 6 a side Champions.

Solihull replace Widnes who beat Leicester in last years final.

200 teams from across the UK and Ireland converged on Cannock's twelve astroturf pitches to compete in the day long event which has become the most prestigious in Europe. Scouts from major British clubs were also present along with the media and Sky TV who filmed the final.

Notable entrants who made it to the knockout stages included Dundee, who played Worthing in the Group stages which must rank as one of the longest distances between combatants, and Cork, who travelled across over 500 miles by road and sea to compete. Cork made it to the last 32 whilst Dundee played wonderfully well, and with great spirit, to reach the quarter finals.

Loughborough fielded two strong teams from their sporting University contingent, as did Birmingham, however it was some of the unheralded teams who played above themselves - Mansfield reached the last 16,  Northwich, St Helens and Knowle reached the quarter finals, whilst Slough played exceptionally well to reach the semi-finals.

2009 Champions Widnes gave a stout defence of their title, coming through their group and then defeating Chepstow well before surprisingly losing to Northwich in theknockout stages.

The anticipated final between Slough and Loughborough never materialised as both teams, who had been outstanding on route to the semi finals, were both beaten 1-0 in tight matches, to leave Solihull and Cannock to play the final in torrential rain with the Sky TV cameras rolling.

Solihull took an early lead but Cannock soon pegged the deficit back, and at 1-1 the smart money was on a penalty shoot out to end a dramatic days play. However Solihull scored a peach of a winner in the closing minutes and held on to clinch a well deserved title.

The presentation ceremony took place in a downpour which left players, spectators and media alike soaked to the skin, but no-one seemed to care after being witness to the best small sided football the UK has to offer.

For more pictures of the day click here.