MIDDLEWICH Leisure Centre will stage a new charity football competition that could become an annual event.

The Cheshire 7s Cup will feature two weekends of qualifying games before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and decider go into the spotlight on Saturday, June 25.

Squads of up to 10 players are required to participate in a tournament set up by Harry Gibbs to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

He explained why the charity is close to his heart.

“Recently, one of the local referees I use for my Power Play Leagues found out that he is suffering with prostate cancer,” said Harry.

“Luckily in his case it isn’t as dangerous as it can be, but it was still a massive scare for him and everyone who knows him.

“A kinder, friendlier, more genuine character you couldn’t hope to meet and I’m just so grateful the prognosis wasn’t worse.”

He added: “That’s my personal story, but there are thousands of men going through this in the UK as we speak.

“Indeed, the simple fact is that one in eight men will get prostate cancer at some point in their life. That means, statistically at least, one of each of the sevens squad in this competition will be dealing with this at some point in their life.

“This is why it is such a worthy cause to raise money for and to help Prostate Cancer UK keep going with the fantastic work they do.”

Qualifying group games will take place on Saturdays June 11 and 18 on the artificial surface at Middlewich Leisure Centre.

Entry fee is £70 per team, with three games guaranteed and up to six for teams which reach the final.

The first 16 teams to pay the entry fee secure a space.

Squads of up to 10 players can be assembled.

Games will be 25 minutes long, straight through.

In the knockout stage, tied games will be decided on penalties (best of five, then sudden death).

For further details contact Harry on 07887806071 or harryg687@gmail.com.

To book a place in the tournament, visit https://cheshire7scup.weebly.com/sign-up.html