The football stars of the future - and that might not be too much of an overstatement - could be sat on our very doorsteps, with one Watford Under-9 side showing just how it’s done at a recent tournament in the town.

On Saturday, Sun Sports held its annual youth football tournament here in Watford at the The Sun Sports Postal and Social Club, featuring five-a-side teams from all across the Home Counties, with Under-6s all the way through to Under-18s taking part.

At Under-9 level, two local sides showed their ability to see off all comers and reach the final, with Evergreen Eagles beating Croxley Athletic in a penalty shoot-out.

The two teams have risen to become the cream of the crop of Hertfordshire sides and the game served as revenge for the Eagles, who had lost out earlier this year to their opponents in the final of another county-wide competition, held at Kings Langley FC.

While other clubs had squads of around 12 to rotate during the Sun Sports tournament, there was no such luxury for Evergreen, who have now reached the final in three of the four competitions they have played in this summer.

A number of their rank are already using the professional game as their inspiration, having lost out to Letchworth Eagles in the final of another event on Sunday.

They could take solace from the fact that Letchworth, a sizeable club, can include the likes of Jack Wilshere among its alumni - and now Evergreen’s youngsters are hoping to do their own club proud in the same way.

Edward Fry, father of manager Sam, said: “I think a few of the players will probably get signed up by a professional club and it would be someone like Watford, or even Arsenal if they are seen at the right time.

“If they go into the academies, they can’t play in tournaments like this but if they work hard, it’s a stepping stone to becoming a professional footballer.

“They have showed just how good their are with their stamina in playing most of the games, as Sam had little opportunity to rotate with only seven members of the squad.

“It shows during the tournament, too, as they are not too far ahead of the other teams are the start but by the time you get towards the latter stages, they are fitter and stronger and it’s helped them do as well as they have done.

“Having someone like Jack Wilshere as a former player for sides they’re playing is good inspiration. They know they have potential and it’s about just enjoying it, but it gives them more motivation.

“They have started training twice a week and have been attending FA-coached courses at Parmiters in Watford, and it has helped with their ability and results.

“In their league season, which is seven-a-side, they only lost one of their first 14 and then still were only beaten three times all season.”