A GRASSROOTS football festival is set to give youngsters a chance to play at Borough Park this weekend.

Under eight teams from across Cumbria will take part in the Workington AFC Centenary Grassroots Festival on Sunday competing in a series of matches before being crowned the overall winner.

Community director at Workington Reds Richard Lewthwaite said: “I’ve been involved with grassroots football for years and you tend to play the same kids right through the year.

“You’re always playing against the same kids and teams so it is nice to do something new.”

Under eight teams from Gosforth, Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport, Abbeytown and Carlisle will take part.

“We’ve got quite a lot of things in the pipeline.”

It is part of a programme of events designed to celebrate a special anniversary for Reds.

Richard said: “We’re celebrating the centenary so we thought, as well as celebrate the past we’ll look to the future as well.”

Workington Reds are set for a season without Coronavirus restrictions and hope to make up for lost time having seen two seasons curtailed due to lockdown.

New boss Chris Willcock took over as manager last week and will lead the Reds in their special centenary season.