THE curtain on the Chester & District League season was raised in style on Saturday.

The league held a tournament at Goals Soccer Centre on Talbot Way in Chester which raised more than £600 for Claire House Children’s Hospice.

It was the first in a series of season-long events in aid of the Clatterbridge Hospital-based cause, which is the league’s official charity for the 2012-13 campaign.

After having their picture taken with the hospice’s mascot Claire Bear, 18 teams battled it out.

And it was Blacon’s Greyhound Inn who emerged triumphant with victory in the final against Sutton Way Villa.

The league’s secretary Paul Graham said: “I cannot thank those clubs who supported us in this event enough. They were all a credit to themselves and the league.

“Everyone involved really got into the spirit of the occasion and the players seemed more interested in getting a photo with Claire Bear than playing their games.

!It was never about the end result, it was about raising as much as we could for our nominated charity, Claire House.

“I must also say a massive ‘thank you’ to Goals Chester. They have been truly magnificent. They have let us use this new £3m pound arena at no cost to us. They have welcomed us and helped run the tournament for us.

“They are new to the footballing community in this area but I can say that they have been brilliant for us and we are already looking at ways we can work together in the future.”

The opening round of fixtures in the league are on Monday.

Last season’s Premier Division champions Kelsall, however, have to wait until Wednesday to get their season under away when they travel to Whitby Athletic.

See Monday’s Chronicle Xtra for more pictures from the tournament.