WHALLEY Con Club are the first winners of the Ribble Valley Cup.

The six-a-side event, hosted by Rimington FC, attracted 10 teams from across the Ribble Valley.

Organisers were thrilled with the response and are now planning on making it an annual event - including adding a junior compet-ition next year.

Whalley put out a strong team that included a guest appearance from Notting-ham Forest’s Blackburn-born striker Joe Garner who was back in the area visiting friends and family However, they were pushed all the way in the final by Rimington Vets - a team that included players who had long since hung up their boots.

But Whalley proved to be just too strong, clinching a 2-0 win in the final.

Terry Braithwaite from Rimington FC who help organise the event said: “The day was not as warm as we would have liked, but the bar and barbecue did a good trade and it is planned to make this an annual event with the possibility of including a junior competition as part of it next year.

“We would like to thank all those who helped with the organisation, the sponsors, the players and all those who turned up to watch.” Both teams booked their place in the final via penalty shoot-outs.

Whalley Con Club edged past Rimington ‘A’ after that match ended 1-1 and following a goalless draw, Rimington vets beat Langho on spot kicks.

Teams were split in to two groups of five, the top two in each progressing to the semi finals while there were fifth and sixth and seventh and eighth place play-offs.

Other teams to take part included Clitheroe Royal Grammar, Kings Arms, Waddington and the Galac-ticos of Grindleton.