FOOTBALLERS put the England team to shame at a five-a-side-tournament in aid of thousands of terminally-ill patients in Swindon.

No fewer than 31 teams from Croft Junior FC succeeded in raising a huge £1,000 at the two-day contest in June which saw them go head to head with 50 groups from around Wiltshire.

The stakes were high but even through tough encounters, players’ determination to reach their fundraising target never wavered.

“We had about 560 children there,” said Croft Junior FC secretary Mark Slade, who organised the event with Julie Sanders.

“It went extremely well. We had a range of players from under-sevens right through to under-18s.

“We have fundraised for Prospect on a number of occasions and we raised £600 for the hospice last year.

“People at the club have used the facilities before and it’s a local charity that does extremely good work. It’s a charity close to us.

“And we will keep supporting them.

“Our target was £1,000 but we were £31 short so the committee put in the extra amount to reach the target. The children were very pleased.”

On the back of the event’s success, Mark is hoping the mini football cup will become an annual event for Prospect Hospice, and attract even more competitors.

“Our target for teams was 88 this year but we only had 81,” he said. “So we hope there is more demand for it next year.”