THIS month’s celebration tournament to mark 50 years of the Southampton & District Tyro League has been postponed – due to lack of support.

The esteemed youth league that produced such talent as Andrew Surman, Danny Ings and Francis Benali comprises 52 clubs.

Yet only six stepped forward to take part in a festival of under-11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 football over the weekends of August 5/6 and 12/13 at Testlands Hub.

It was one of a series of events planned to mark the league’s 50th anniversary with all proceeds going to Francis Benali’s fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

The lack of interest has shocked Tyro stalwart Tony Witt, life vice-president of the league.

Together with Dave Jackson, Ron Foreman, Clive Risbridger, Kay Risbridger and Dave Chalke – all 60-plus – Witt formed the 50th Anniversary Committee to devise different ways to celebrate Tyro football's half century.

He said: “Unfortunately we’ve had to postpone the tournament due to lack of support.

“As a committee, we’re quite disgusted about that, but perhaps August was the wrong month with the kids on school holidays.”

Witt, though, says the committee will not be beaten and are determined the tournament will go ahead at a later date.

“We’ve spoken to the Tyro League and we’re going to try and organise it in May,” he said.