GREAT Harwood Tigers are the inaugural winners of the Darwen Lions Gala football competition.

The first ever event attracted 10 teams to Darwen Leisure Centre -- now organisers want to make it an annual event.

The Tigers tamed a very good Blackburn United 'A' team in the final after both teams had progressed through the group stages and the semi finals.

And in very a close final, Tigers beat United 2-0 to lift the trophy for the first time.

Earlier, Great Harwood and Blackburn United 'A' topped their groups to reach the semi finals, as did runners-up Real Juniors and Park Lane.

In the first semi final, Blackburn United 'A' took on Real Juniors and reached the final thanks to a 2-0 win.

Great Harwood Tigers reached the final thanks to a 1-0 win against Park Lane.

The purpose of the event was to promote harmony and friendship in the football community.

And that was summed up in the Darwen Lions team who were made up from players from the other nine teams that took part.

The teams that took part included Blackburn United 'A' and 'B', Beach United 'A' and 'B', Park Lane, Great Harwood Tigers, Real Juniors, Darwen Boys, Mill Hill Youth and Darwen Lions.

Ismail Esat, who helped organise the event, said: "The event was played in the spirit it was intended. We were happy with the way the competition went and we're glad to hear it will now be held every year."