FOR half a century ‘Tyro’ has been the byword for youth football excellence on this stretch of the south coast.

And to celebrate their 50th anniversary the Southampton & District Tyro League are holding two weekend tournaments next month at the Testlands Hub, Green Lane.

The under-11 and under-12 age-groups will play on August 5 and 6 respectively, followed by the under-13s and under-14s on August 12 and 13 respectively. Under-15 matches will be spread over both weekends.

Formed back in 1967 by Tommy Chant, Ron Edwards, Joe Chivers and Ron Beaton, the league was created to give local youth the chance to play football, make friends and enjoy the beautiful game.

Only a handful of teams participated in the first ever season and it has grown so significantly over the last five decades that over 3,000 boys (and under-11 girls) now play every Sunday from September to late April.

A series of events are planned to mark the 50th anniversary with all proceeds going to Francis Benali’s fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

Ex-Saint Benali was himself a product of the Tyro League, playing for Winsor United, and it is hoped that several more well-known Tyro old boys – the likes of Andrew Surman, Danny Ings, Darryl Flahavan, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Scott Bevan and the ‘Pie Man’ Wayne Shaw – will get along to support the event.

While Tyro football is all about youth, it’s the older generation who are working hard to make this landmark year one to remember.

Tony Witt, Dave Jackson, Ron Foreman, Clive Risbridger, Kay Risbridger and Dave Chalke – all 60-plus - have pulled together to form the 50th Anniversary Committee.

Witt, founder of Brendon Youth FC and a life vice-president of the Southampton & District Tyro League, was presented with a Pride of Southampton Award by Benali and Lawrie McMenemy.

He said: “We’ve got a whole year of celebrations going on and six people – three over 60 and three over 70 – have come out of retirement to organise it.

“We would like to remind teams wishing to take part in the 50th Anniversary Tournament that they must let us know by July 14.

“There will be 16 teams playing in each age-group and they must be Tyro League sides.”

Entry is £20 per team with cheques made payable to Southampton Tyro 50th Anniversary.

Contact Tony Witt on 023 8049 4940 or at a.witt@sky.com