Hot-shot: Lars Nitschke with his son Sean

Published: 22 January, 2015

AN SOS has been sent out to businesses across Camden and Islington in a bid to help save a ground-breaking international youth football tournament.

The ambitious tourney aims to pitch a Camden youth team against players from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, who have been invited to parade their skills  in north London next month. 

An Under-11s side representing Hampstead FC will face a host of professional youth academies, including squads from Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United in the two-day competition, currently scheduled to take place in late February.

But the football extravaganza hangs in the balance because organisers still have a shortfall on the £30,000 cost of hosting the mouth-watering event. 

Hampstead’s Under-11s ready to take on Bayern

So far only £15,000 has been pledged and now new sponsors are being sought to save the day. 

The England versus Germany Academy Tournament is the first of its kind to be held in the UK. 

The first round will consist of six English and four German teams all playing each other once in a round-robin league before switching to a knock-out format to decide the overall champions. 

Organiser-in-chief Lars Nitschke, whose son Sean plays for Hampstead’s Under-11s, says the event was inspired by the First World War 1914 Christmas truce when soldiers from both sides across the Western Front laid down their arms and joined together in the spirit of Christmas to sing carols and play football. 

As well as giving “players and fans the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, says Lars, the non-profit event aims to raise funds for children’s charity Make-A-Wish Foundation and the children’s ward at Barnet hospital. 

“Taking into account things like accommodation, flights, ground hire and trophies, the event is going to cost £30,000,” said Lars.

“I’ve already personally put in £10,000, and am willing to put in another £5,000. But I still need the support of local communities to make this happen. 

“If we can hit our target, we’ll be able to give a minimum of £5,000 to charity. But to be honest I’m hoping that we can raise much, much, more.” 

Interested donors can give as little as £5 – and up to £5,000 – for a package that includes tournament naming rights, priority advertising and individual team sponsors, Lars explained. 

“Thirty thousand pounds is a lot of money, but if there’s enough community support, we can pull together to make it happen. Every little helps,” he said. 

As it stands, Hampstead FC’s England vs Germany Academy Tournament is due to take place at The Hive Stadium in Barnet on February 21 and 22. 

• To make a donation visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/hampstead-fc-football-tournament–2 or email nitschke@btopenworld.com for details.