TINY footballers as young as three are demonstrating incredible tackling skills on the pitch.

Winsford dad-of-three Andy Ford launched a new football team, Over 3 Cubs, 18 months ago and has already spotted star players with great potential.

Around 30 boys and girls aged three to six train twice a week.

Andy said: "We do that much fun and games, everyone walks off the pitch happy. We always have a high five sequence at the end."

The foundation group feeds into grassroots football.

"It's high intensity football," said Andy, who started playing football himself when he was six. "The children keep you on your toes. They learn loads, balancing stuff, dribbling in and out of cones and one touch football. They are really advanced.

"The younger ones learn off the older ones and look up to them as a father figure."

The youngsters made their debut in a friendly against under sevens and were astonished to beat them.

"They had not played a match before but they loved it," said Andy. "They were jumping over each other after scoring goals."

Learning together, he said, gives the children confidence and helps to develop their social skills.

"They understand the ups and downs," said Andy, who played for Moulton, Davenham and Winsford Junior Blues. "If one of them is hit with the ball, there are always one or two of them to support the player before I get there. They look out for each other."

His son Teddy, aged five, loves playing football.

Andy said: "He was shy at first when he started at three but he's come on in leaps and bounds. It's been massive for him.

"He's constantly got as ball at his feet. A lot of them go to school together and the teachers say football has given them a head start. Their communication skills are very good."

The team is now proud to wear branded tracksuits, thanks to sponsors Jason Rutter and David Hoare from RJD Components.

"It's great that these guys have come along as sponsors," said Andy, a supervisor in the paint shop at Mitras Automotives.

"We try to keep the subs down.We only charge £1.50 a session. The kids are doing really well.

"Some of them have a bright future ahead of them in football."

The team trains on Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm at Winsford Academy and on Saturday from 10am to 11am at The Bowl.