The Unity Football Club held trials last Friday for the forthcoming year and there was a good response from youngsters across the city.

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Posh Community Officer Brett Whaley told theposh.com: 'This is another Football in the Community Scheme and we are delighted to be involved in the project. The trials went extremely well and there were some talented footballers that attended.

'Hopefully, once we select the squad, we can put on training sessions over the next few weeks and challenge for the competition we are entering in Holland over the May Bank Holiday weekend,' Whaley said.

The Unity Football Club was set up in 2002 to bring together young people from different areas, cultures and backgrounds with a common interest in football to have fun and improve their skills.

The aim is to celebrate the similarities between youngsters from different ethnic backgrounds and promote greater mutual understanding and respect among young people from Peterborough's diverse communities.

The club is a joint initiative between the Peterborough City Council's youth service, sports development team and Peterborough United Football in the Community Scheme.

Councillor Matthew Dalton, spokesman for young people said: 'The Unity Football Club not only gives youngsters a chance to improve their football skills and meet new friends but it also gives them an opportunity to compete in an international tournament. It is just one example of the fantastic work, led by the youth service to integrate and unite our community.'

Youth service development manager Javed Ahmed said: 'The Unity Football team is a tremendously successful project because it brings youngsters together to do something they love - football. It has really captured the imagination of young people in Peterborough with its unique approach in encouraging respect and cohesion among different groups and the team has also been very successful and previously were crowned European champions.'

Darragh MacAnthony, chairman of Peterborough United said: 'I am delighted to support the Unity Football Club. Football is a fantastic way to bridge cultures and generations and I am only too happy to be involved.'