West Midlands professionals football tournament kicks off to a great start!

Sellick Partnership Midlands Division, in partnership with Mitten Clarke, held our first charity football tournament at the Powerleague in Stoke-on-Trent last Friday in aid of Douglas Macmillan.

The afternoon itself had a great turnout, with 15 teams from various local businesses digging deep and supporting this local charity. We started with two hours of football as the 15 teams were divided into three groups of five. The top eight teams - based on a percentage of success - went through to the knockout tournament which would eventually decide a winner. Alongside the main tournament, we also ran a plate tournament, with the next four teams competing in their own knock out rounds.

It gives me great pleasure to announce our winners of the Cup - UK Fuels, closely followed by runners-up Kindertons, who gave UK Fuels a good run for their money before meeting defeat at 1:0. Underdogs UK Fuels came third in their league, so it just shows you what can be achieved when you put your mind to it!

Over on the other pitch, Beswicks took the glory in the plate tournament, after thrashing Sellick Partnership's own team 5-0. Well you know what they say - it's the taking part that counts, we're not bitter at all! Especially when the tournament is in aid of such a fantastic charity.

Douglas Macmillan are a charity local to the Sellick Partnership Midlands office, established in 1972 as a 28 bed hospice serving the North Staffordshire area. Over the years a day hospice, a community nurse specialist team (PCNS), a the Hospice at Home service and an education centre have been added. These are all supported by a full range of clinical support services which include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, lymphoedema, chaplaincy, bereavement support, social work, psychology and diversional therapies.

These services are mainly paid for from voluntary income, which is where our charity tournament came in.

Following on from the success of our first tournament, we are eager to make this an annual event, with the continued support of everyone involved! I know several organisations are eager to secure their roster spot next year, and it would be great to see some new faces challenging for the Cup!