Ford Sends Youth Footballers To Wembley For UEFA Champions League Final

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – May 10, 2011: Ford, a founding partner of the UEFA Champions League, is sending Ford Champions Youth Football Tournament winners to this month's final.

London's Wembley Stadium will host the UEFA Champions League final for the first time on Saturday 28 May. To mark this historic event, Ford hosted a five-a-side football tournament on Saturday 7th May at Dagenham & Redbridge FC, which saw local teams compete to win a once in a lifetime experience.

Team Ryan FC, the winning boys' team and West Ham under 16's, the winning girls' team, became Ford Champions and will participate in the opening ceremony of the UEFA Champions League Final in front of the 90,000 crowd.

The 16 local youngsters, aged between 14 and 16, will share the pitch with the Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona stars to display the iconic UEFA Champions League starball banner prior to kick-off.

Mark Simpson, Ford of Britain marketing director, said: “After 19 years, Ford remains extremely proud to be a founding partner of the UEFA Champions League. This year, Ford is celebrating its centenary year and is delighted to be providing two youth teams from local Dagenham this amazing opportunity.

“We send our congratulations to Team Ryan FC and West Ham under 16's girls and wish them well for their important role in the opening ceremony of European football’s most prestigious match.”