tournament news
The schedule for this years tournament has now been decided and is available in a WORD document below or on the relevant link to the left shortly.
MATCHBALL
SPONSOR AGREED
(30/4/08)
We are delighted to announce that Tranmere legend John Achterberg will provide matchballs for this years tournament courtesy of his new website www.johnachterberg.com (set for re-launch 1st May). John has been with Rovers for ten years and is now a widely respected goalkeeping coach with his own academy and range of goalkeeping equipment. Check out his website for more details.
We'd like to thank John for his fantastic support.
LIVERPOOL
REPLACE LEVEN
(20/4/08)
2006 MST winners Liverpool have got themselves a late reprieve and entered after Scottish side Vale of Leven were forced to pull out.
The line-up of teams for MST 08 has been completed tonight. With the deadline for last seasons entrants to re-enter passed the doors were opened for Burnley and West Brom to become the final teams entered into this years competition.
Rovers need no introduction to WBA who thumped them 5-2 earlier this season and are one of the favourites to win the league title. Burnley on the other hand will be new opposition for many of the teams involved having only arrived in the IFA this season. We're delighted to have them both in the tournament and look forward to meeting them in Birkenhead on May 5th.
MST 08 organisers are hoping to liven this years half hour lunch break up with the introduction of music! Positive talks have taken place which have seen a local mobile DJ company provisionally agree to provide a free service at the tournament. The half hour set provided by PartyTunes would liven things up and let the players from the teams chill out in the sunshine (hopefully!) before starting again for the knock-out phases.
Clearance from the venue is pending and the attendance of the DJ is still subject to good weather. Additionally, the use of a microphone and a set of loud speakers will help organisers ensure things run smoothly throughout the day!
Look out for more tournament news coming soon.
SCOTLAND
REPRESENTED AGAIN
(8/4/08)
A Scottish side will be in attendance at MST for the second year running with the news that Vale of Leven will be making the long trip south to the Wirral. Fans of the Dunbartonshire-based, Scottish Central League club will attend their first mini-tournament in England. They are a recognised IFA outfit having played in the last two WorldNET competitions in Leeds.
In 2007 Tranmere fans FC Rearguard were drawn against them in the group stages with Leven, painted faces and all, coming out 1-0 victors despite missing a penalty and seeing Rearguard narrowly avoid being reduced to ten men. We look forward to welcoming them to the Wirral.
Two more teams have taken the chance to enter this years competition. Grimsby Town will keep up their record of being ever-presents for the tournament as they complete their hat-trick of appearances. The Internet Mariners had a terrific time at the first ever MST in 2006 as they made it all the way to the final before being beaten on penalties by Liverpool.
Meanwhile another north-west side will be present after Bury confirmed they would be playing this year. It's the Shakers' first ever appearance in MST but one we look forward to.
Welcome aboard lads.
Chester City and reigning Champions Rochdale have both confirmed they are likely to return for this years tournament. Craig Milnes' Rochdale side will arrive in the midst of a title-challenge in the IFA National League which they have been top of for much of this season.
Chester will ensure the local flavour to the tournament remains in tact and will be looking to improve on their tournament debut performance last season.
CHARITY TO BE CONFIRMED
(1/4/08)
The charity to benefit from this years competition will be decided shortly and should be revealed on this website before next week. Check back soon for more info.
The new-look Merseyside Supporters Tournament website is launched ahead of the 2008 comeptition which is to be held on Monday 5th May, 2008. Keep checking back for more news and updates as it comes online.