A youth football club which formed less than a year ago hopes to make a name for itself at a tournament in Barcelona.

Grassroad Sharks, based in Distington, will take eight players from their under-eights team, plus coaches and family members, to the Barcelona Football Festival at the end of next month.

They have raised £4,800 so far of the £5,000 they need to take part in the event, which features 110 teams from 15 countries, with activities including a cake sale and bag packing.

Treasurer Rachel Kirk also ran the Great North Run and her husband will run the Blackpool Marathon to hopefully smash their target.

Coach Luke Ramsden founded the club last May and has watched it grow from 10 players to 60 since then.

He said it was an exciting opportunity to show the club’s progress.

“I looked into international tournaments and I saw this one and thought it had to be,” he added.

“It’s Barcelona, they’re probably the greatest football team in the world.

“The children all love their players, so just playing football in that area will be an experience.

“It’s been hard work but it’s good to look back and see how it’s grown.

“We’ve got really supportive parents who have bought into the club and share the same vision as I have.

“I don’t want to be in a position where we have to say there’s no room so children miss out or slip through the net.”

The team will play a minimum of five matches over May 27 and 28 in Salou and Cambrils.

Games will take place during the morning or evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.

If they perform well enough, they will then qualify for the knockout section of the tournament.

The group will also have free time for sightseeing, including a tour of FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium and a look around the city.

Luke said he will use this year’s event as a trial and, if it is successful, he hopes to take the whole club in the future.

His vision is to keep expanding the club so that talented youngsters are not left without a team to play for.

The club is also looking for new players in every age group.

For more information, call Luke on 07932 010844 or find the club on Facebook as Grassroad Sharks Football Club.