The Workington Reds Academy continues to innovate providing youngsters with valuable experience at Premier League clubs.

Manchester City and Newcastle United have both been visited by different age groups and the latest club to welcome young Reds was Liverpool.

The Under-10s went to play in an Anfield Youth Football Festival with Workington and Wigan Athletic as guests.

Academy director Brian Dawson said: “We were invited to take part in this festival for the under 9s, but we took our youngsters from the upper age.

“They competed well, drawing two games and losing two, and Liverpool said they would definitely ask us to come back.

“If you don’t do well and you behave well, you won’t be invited again and I was delighted that we did both.

“We try to attract the best players we can from a wide area and in fact have youngsters from as far away as Millom, Barrow, Carlisle, Keswick and Workington.

“We are trying to develop a pathway for the kids to move from the Academy to the development team and then to the first team.

“Giving them experience at League clubs is great for them and we have invitations coming from Preston North End, Blackpool and Carlisle United.