An under eights girls team from Bury hit the back of the net after winning at a football tournament last weekend.

The Westbury Foxes, took home the trophy for their age category at the Blackburn Eagles Tournament on Saturday.

The team, which is made up of girls from Greenhill Primary School as well as others in the borough, was set up last October after a historic win for England’s Lionesses at the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022.

The Westbury Foxes were formed by manager Ryan Greenwood and Coach Mike Morris after the girls were inspired to follow in the bootsteps of their heroes.

The tournament was hosted by Blackburn Eagles FC, the official Blackburn Rovers Academy Partner Club, and attracted around 450 teams from around the North West and beyond.

Bury Times: The Westbury Foxes celebrate winning the Blackburn Eagles Tournament last weekendThe Westbury Foxes celebrate winning the Blackburn Eagles Tournament last weekend (Image: Deborah Tonkin)

Deborah Tonkin, parent of team member Maddy Hoggard, said playing in the team has improved their girls confidence and helped them forge lasting bonds.

She said: “All the girls come together, and they really care about each other, the team spirit is great."

Deborah says she’d encourage any young girl interested in playing football to give the sport a go.

She added: “Maddy has made friends for life, they have had a wonderful experience and it’s setting them up with confidence as well.

Throughout the tournament, the team went from strength to strength, winning their last group game 4-1 before qualifying for the semi-finals, and finally being crowned as the victors.

Coach Ryan Greenwood said: “The final whistle went, and the Foxes were crowned champions, creating absolute scenes as the girls celebrated.

“This was their first tournament as a team, and they emerged victorious against some great standard of teams.

"Congratulations to the Westbury Foxes for a fantastic tournament, and their parents for providing amazing support from the sidelines.

“They truly worked hard as a team, and everything paid off in the end. Winning the tournament was the perfect way to end an incredible first season with the league and cup double.”