The inaugural East Bank Inter-Village Football Tournament has been described as a major success by organiser Franklin Wilson, who says the competition has laid a strong foundation for community football along the corridor.

Speaking after Saturday night’s final, Wilson said the tournament exceeded expectations both on and off the field, citing strong community turnout, competitive matches and enthusiastic village support throughout the event.

“This football tournament was a resounding success,” Wilson said.

Grove won the championship trophy after completing an unbeaten campaign, but Wilson said the broader achievement was the way the competition brought communities together.

Night after night, supporters turned out in large numbers to rally behind their villages, creating what Wilson described as an “electric atmosphere” that went beyond football alone.

“The support from the communities was excellent. That is exactly what we wanted—to bring people together through football,” he said.

The tournament featured several closely contested matches and standout individual performances, highlighting what organisers described as a deep pool of football talent across the East Bank.

Wilson credited players and teams for their discipline and commitment, saying this contributed significantly to the success of the event.

With the first edition now completed, organisers are already considering plans to expand and improve the tournament. Wilson said the initiative should be built on further, warning that it would be a “shame” if football authorities on the East Bank failed to capitalise on the available talent pool.