Inspired youth footballers enjoy European cup win

St Johns under 10s were described as "resilient" by their "incredibly proud" coach

An under-10s football team inspired by the success of Ipswich Town are celebrating after winning an international tournament.

Ipswich's St Johns Youth FC team travelled to Eindhoven in the Netherlands to take on international teams in the Dutch Trophy at SV Valkenswaard on 25 and 26 May.

Coaches Neil Frost and Greg Williamson went with the team, along with the players' fathers, to take on tough European competition before ultimately coming away as cup winners.

Mr Frost said the tournament offered "a great experience" for the boys, who are all fans of Ipswich Town and were delighted by the Blues' promotion to the Premier League.

St Johns Youth FC under 10s travelled to the Netherlands to take on other international teams

"Primarily the reason for going was to give the boys exposure to a different culture and team building, and to give them a great experience of going away with their dads and having a wonderful weekend," said Mr Frost, 45.

The tournament saw 80 teams in different age groups come together from across Europe.

St Johns, who also won their local Suffolk league this season, were the only English team in the under 10s category and battled through the group stages to the final.

They faced a strong Belgium team who had won the tournament for the past two years.

"Their coach was telling us they were the best grassroots team in Belgium," said Mr Frost, whose son Kody was on the team.

"I don't know if he was playing mind games with me or not but we were fortunate enough to beat them quite convincingly."

In the end St Johns beat the Belgium team 6-2.

The under 10s team also won their local Suffolk league for their age group this season

Heartwarmingly, when St Johns saw the Belgium team visibly upset after the final whistle, they took it upon themselves to show their respect.

"It was great to see our kids being really considerate to others - that's the magic of having a group of boys who are really empathetic to losing as well as winning," Mr Frost said.

"We've lost matches as well so they're very aware of how it feels to lose a final.

"But they are resilient and a great bunch of kids who love football."

The St Johns team took on a team from Belgium that had previously won the tournament

The team had its last tournament of the year on Saturday at Leicester City's King Power Stadium - and they've now got their eye on a stadium closer to home.

"I'm waiting for the invite from Ipswich Town to come and play at Portman Road," Mr Frost joked.

"They're all big Ipswich fans, the kids in the team. They've been wowed by what Ipswich has done this year - maybe it's bled down into grassroots football this year."

Mr Frost said the club's development team was always looking for players and encouraged families to get in touch.