Footballing stars from yesteryear once again graced the famous fairways of La Manga Club resort, when they battled out the 13th Footballers� Classic.

Organised by Mancini Events and sponsored by Addison Lee PLC, more than 120 competitors took part in the five-night extravaganza, playing four rounds in glorious sunshine for the right to be crowned champions in both the amateur team event and the professional footballer category.

Among the celebrities involved were defending champion Alan McInally, Gary Owen, Gordon Strachan, Chris Marsden, Paul Jewell, Sammy Nelson, Mike England, Des Walker, Matt Le Tissier, Mike Newell and Derek Mountfield.

The professional footballer category was netted by ex-Mansfield and Morecambe man, and three-handicapper, Fraser McLachlan, who shot Stableford scores of 32, 37 and 39 points to win by one point from former Crystal Palace star Steve Lovell. Ex-Brighton goalkeeper Perry Digweed was a further seven points back in third.

Commenting on the win, McLachlan said: �To win such a prestigious event at this famous venue gives me great pride. It was tough and the competition was as strong as it has ever been and I look forward to coming back to defend my title next year.�

The amateur team event was scooped in convincing fashion by �The Water Boys� who despite not having consumed much of the H2O all week, managed to keep their balls on terra firma and win the competition by an incredible nine points.

This popular event will be back at La Manga Club in 2010 and details will be available soon at www.mancinievents.co.uk.

ENDS

Issued by the Azalea Group. For more information or images contact Lee Todd on 08700 330 550 or email lee@theazaleagroup.com.

About La Manga Club

As a result of 37 years of continued investment, innovation and commitment to excellence, which have ensured that it has remained at the forefront of the sector, La Manga Club is widely recognised as Spain�s flagship resort and as one of the finest in the world.

Evidence of this is provided by its numerous World Travel Award nominations and prizes, such as the World�s Leading Sports Resort (top 5, 2006 and 2007), Spain�s Leading Golf Resort (winner, 2006), Europe�s Leading Golf Resort (winner, 2001, 2003 and 2005), and Europe�s Leading Conference Hotel (winner, 2003). In addition, the hotel obtained the prestigious Q for Quality certification in 2002.

La Manga Club is a spectacular resort located in the Murcia region of south-east Spain. Set out over an area of some 560 hectares (approx. 1,400 acres), it offers visitors a five-star hotel, luxury vacation apartments and 450 hectares of sports facilities, highlights of which include its three 18-hole golf courses, 28 tennis courts and its eight-pitch professional football centre, which also offers facilities for cricket, rugby and Gaelic football.

The resort is also home to innumerable leisure facilities, such as the 2000m2 Spa La Manga Club with its 13 luxurious treatment rooms, comprehensive fitness centre and 25m indoor swimming pool; meeting, banqueting and incentive facilities, and more than 20 restaurants and bars.

La Manga Club is located in a unique setting amid the rolling hills that separate the crystalline Mediterranean from the warm waters of the Mar Menor Sea in Murcia, southern Spain. Lying to the south of the Costa Blanca, this region is known as the Costa C�lida, or 'warm coast', thanks to its mild, year-round Mediterranean climate.

Between two seas Discover the two seas that bathe the Region�s coastline. The Mediterranean is a warm sea, dotted with coves and fine sandy beaches, which offers unforgettable diving both because of the clarity of its waters and because of the exuberance of the marine life that thrives there. The Mar Menor is the ideal setting for water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, canoeing or jet-skiing. The absence of large waves makes this lagoon into an unbeatable ally when it comes to harnessing the winds. Suitable for all levels. Whatever the time of year, there are more than 30 water sport schools along the coast. Here the sun is always shining. www.murciaturistica.es