Mariners get down to business

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Marine are launching a new six-a-side tournament for the Liverpool business community.

Taking place in October at the Arriva Stadium, the Marine FC Liverpool Business Cup is the brainchild of a group of Mariners supporters who organising the all day event to raise funds for their Premier Division club.

The fans, who'll run the new annual competition alongside a series of other fund-raising projects they organising this season, are planning a Champions League style format on Thursday 17 October incorporating a group stage followed by knockout rounds. The cost per team is just £200 and covers match officials, catering, trophies and a team photograph.

Marine's Chairman Paul Leary hailed the club's fans for launching the tournament and the other initiatives they are planning over the coming campaign to raise funds for the club's on-going ground development and playing budgets.

Leary said: "A small group of our younger supporters have shown real initiative with the idea, not only with this tournament, but for some other projects that they are to manage in the new season.

"I welcome their desire to help raise funds for Marine Football Club and I am sure that their projects will provide an opportunity for people to visit Marine and to get involved and support our football club especially through the staging of these new events."

Marine FC Projects co-ordinator Beckie Eustace added: "This should be a great day and will be a fun but competitive tournament. his will be an all-day event starting at 9:30am with football, food and awards all finishing at around 5pm.

"The event provides an opportunity for Liverpool businesses to have an active away day at a great football venue and to compete in the first Marine FC Liverpool Business Cup competition."