A CHELSEA scout was among those who braved the wet conditions for the rain-soaked FC Chippenham Youth six-a-side tournament at the weekend.

The final few games for the U9s and U11s tournaments were called off after a refereeing decision to guarantee the safety of the youngsters taking part.

All the other age groups managed to finish their games and many commented on the quality of the Stanley Park facility.

More than 200 teams took part on ten pitches in the colossal tournament.

The club's vice chairman, John Murphy, said: "Stanley Park is a credit to Chippenham Town Council.

"The facilities are excellent. Everyone all over the county is saying the facilities are something to be envious over."

But club secretary Dave Hudson rued the poor weather that hampered the competition and eventually forced organisers to abandon matches on Sunday.

He said: "Last week we were hoping for a bit of rain because the ground was hard but not that much.

"The ground cut up a little bit as we had thunder and lightening and the car park got a bit stodgy towards the end of the day and I was there helping to pull out cars from the mud."

Hudson said he was impressed with the standard of football: "It was a very good standard and there was a Chelsea scout there.

"He came across and showed us his ID and asked if it was okay if he watched.

"It is really a good boost and an endorsement for the tournament.

"The girls' tournament was also a very good standard from what I saw. There was one girl who hit a 25-yard free kick screaming into the top corner.

"We only had five U10s girls' teams this year but next year we are hoping to expand and have teams in an U10s and U12s section."

Murphy said the six-a-side was a great success thanks to the support shown from the club's army of volunteers and helpers, who worked all weekend despite the dreadful conditions.

He said: "Despite the worst weather conditions for many years, the inaugural tournament at Stanley Park was largely a great success. It was thanks to the organising committee led by Dave Hudson, Arnie Highmore and Chris Pond and the catering managers, Ray Bailey and Natalie Highmore, ably supported by a fantastic number of FC Chippenham parents from all the age groups.

"None of this would have been possible without the referee supervisor Steve Manifold and his wonderful professional group of referees whose presence and wisdom, latterly on Sunday, was a great support to us when the decision was made to abandon the tournament before the end of the U9s and U11s competition.

"It is an FA affiliated tournament and if the pitches are unplayable then they are unplayable."

FC Chippenham Youth plan to run the games in June on a date to be arranged.

Hudson said: "The U9s and U11s will be invited back after reaching the semi and quarter final stages respectively.

"It may be a case of inviting them back mid-week sometime and playing a round robin so they don't come over here, go out and go home straight away."