DOZENS of young football and cricket players tried out each other’s sports as part of Bolton Indians Sports Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The Darcy Lever club celebrated the landmark year with a day-long festival of sport and fun day.

The football activities included a tournament of matches and a penalty shootout, and the cricket section’s activities, which club cricket coach Dinkar Patel largely organised, included a variety of drills and coaching in batting, bowling and fielding techniques before the youngsters played a game.

All the youngsters were encouraged to try out the other sport to give them a taste of the game which could possibly encourage them to play regularly.

Cricket section secretary Rajesh Patel said the occasion was successful in providing an enjoyable day of sport and giving youngsters a taste of a game they would not normally play.

“The cricketers got involved in football and the footballers got involved in cricket,” he said.

“The cricket section is generally ethnic and the football section is not ethnic, and we got some crossover.

“We are trying to increase participation in both areas.

“We are also trying to set up an under-8s or u9s football team – the youngest possible age group.

“There have been a lot of youngsters taking part in cricket training and we are having sessions on Sundays between 12pm and 2pm on Sundays from November onwards in the club’s hall.

“Anyone who wants to take part, in the u9s, u11s and u13s age group can call the club on 01204 521437.”