MANCHESTER wasn't the only United who flew the Lancashire flag in Europe last week.

Oswaldtwistle United FC - formerly Oswaldtwistle Juniors - competed in an international tournament in Holland, finishing in a creditable fourth place from 14 teams.

A party of 16 Under-12s players, and 33 parents and families made the gruelling coach/ferry journey to the Den Bosch area of south-east Holland and were based near Eindhoven.

The Under-12s outfit have won all their 46 games this season, carrying off the Under-12s Red Section championship while playing in the Accrington and District Junior League on Saturdays, plus achieving the Hyndburn and District Boys' League Under-12s League and Cup double on Sundays.

Club secretary Jim Hargreaves, said: "It was our first visit to a tournament abroad and both the boys and the parents greatly enjoyed themselves. "It was a grand finale to a fine season, and great experience for the lads. We hope to do it again next year.

"I would like to thank all our sponsors for their help, including Reebok, Blackburn Rovers, Ray's Garage Supplies, Fine Art Developments and Plan It (Accrington)".

Tournament results - Round robin section: Oswaldtwistle United 2, Margriet (Holland) 0. Scorers: Adam McCormack and Matt Needham; Oswaldtwistle United 4 (Joel Byrom, McCormack 2 and Chris Beagham), TG Heilbronn (Germany) 1; Oswaldtwistle United 0, BJA Kassel 'A' (Germany) 0.

Semi-final: Oswaldtwistle United 0, The City School (Sheffield) 2.

Fourth place play-off: Oswaldtwistle United 0, Kippax Athletic (Leeds) 2.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.