Former England international Anton Ferdinand visited the SuperCupNI youth football tournament in Northern Ireland this week, where his son Flynn is representing West Ham's academy. Ferdinand, who last took part in the competition in 1998, described the experience as a full circle moment.

Ferdinand said the 1998 tournament was his first trip away with West Ham and had a major influence on his career, teaching him how to handle pressure and the attention that comes with professional football. He added that the SuperCupNI provides a similar grounding for today's young players.

Speaking at Anderson Park in Portadown, where he watched the Boys' Minor Cup semi-final between Portadown and Linfield, Ferdinand noted it was his first return to the area for a long time. He recalled the memories of being around Coleraine and Portrush during his previous visit.

Ferdinand also commented on the improved standard of local teams, saying the involvement of professional academies had helped raise the level of play. He said the tournament offers a platform for Northern Irish players to showcase their talent in front of clubs from England and beyond.

The competition continues across venues on the north coast.