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Winston Churchill, writing in one of the most turbulent international political climates the world has ever known, said that continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. In the same writings, he stated that success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.

To the 1989/1990 Shrewsbury and Atcham Cup, where an epic and exhilarating final on the Competition Pitch ended in a 2-2 draw after extra-time, with Cruz Azul of Mexico beating Barnsley FC 5-4 on penalties. The Mexicans, playing an intricate, sophisticated and measured style of football where keeping possession is almost as important as clinical finishing, showed a tenacity few would have thought possible in first getting to the final and then overcoming an extremely robust and powerful English outfit.

In the age group's consolation competition (the Shrewsbury and Atcham Trophy), Ulster Schools triumphed 3-1 over Short Soccer of Longford, Coventry. The Irish side brought with them a brutal physicality geared towards winning midfield battles, and this reaped rewards as they came up against an English side much slighter and more lightweight by comparison.

Oldham Athletic succumbed to a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Swansea City in the 1993 David Richardson Cup in a Competition Pitch match played out in front of hundreds of spectators. Penalty shootouts are undoubtedly the cruellest way of settling any football match, and the Welsh side showed just a tad more composure under huge pressure to lift the trophy. In Oldham's defence, many spectators will agree that their players will grace the pitches of many professional clubs in the future after some outstanding individual performances. In the 1993 Precision Training Trophy – the age group's consolation competition – Gretna FC of Scotland triumphed 4-3 over FC Borras after extra-time. The Scottish visitors, who recorded some remarkable results in their short stay in England, were particularly congratulated for their sportsmanship over the course of the week.

In the 1994 Sundorne Cup, Swansea City Development recorded a massive 9-0 final win over Welshpool Town, playing a mature and controlled style of football that featured numerous counter-attacks sprung from a solid defensive base.

In the 1995 Darwin Centre Cup, Shrewsbury Town claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Swansea. A further victory for the host side in the tournament one could say, but this particular Shrewsbury Town side showed a special resilience throughout the tournament, making a name for themselves with an attractive and exciting brand of football. The trophy final was won by Cardiff City, after a 2-0 final win over The New Saints. In the 1996 Village Outreach Cup, Leominster came first, with Bishops Castle and Mid Wales finishing joint second.

The 1991/1992 girls' cup final saw Clubs for Young People beat Shrewsbury Town by three goals to nil. The South Wales side, robust and tenacious in their midfield and overwhelmingly speedy on the counter-attack, were deserved winners against a tired and outmuscled Town team. In the 1991/1992 girls' trophy final, Clyde Cosmos of Scotland won 3-1 against Wem Wanderers. The 1993/1994 cup final, Sharley Park succumbed to a 4-1 final defeat at the hands of Solihull Ladies. Solihull, clear favourites in the competition from the very opening match, lived up to their dynamic reputation. In the age group's trophy final, Leicester Ladies beat Cottage Farm Rangers 2-1.

So the inaugural Shrewsbury International Soccer Tournament has drawn to a close, with eighty-plus teams having graced the fields of the Shrewsbury Sports Village in front of thousands of spectators during the last week of July.

Despite adverse weather just occasionally plaguing the action of some competitions, it's been an exhilarating week that's acted as a glimpse into the future of professional and amateur football. With the upper echelons of the competition, spectators have been given a priceless and tantalising glimpse as to what's to come in international and domestic football in the future, with the likes of River Plate, Guadalajara, Oldham, Shrewsbury and Swansea possessing players of an elite calibre who will have long and fulfilling footballing careers.

For the non-professional sides, they've measured themselves against teams their own age and they've undoubtedly improved as a result.

The truth is that the Shrewsbury International Soccer Tournament has been a week-long event where winning and losing has counted - but only to a certain degree.

Every club places a relative importance upon their results: some clubs believe winning to be a prerequisite to developing young players, and others are of the opinion that experiencing both winning and losing is an essential experience for life as a whole. Wherever you stand, for every club, for every player, for every coach, and for every supporter, football – for the past few days – has enriched their lives, and has brought people together in a way only sport can.

If the tournament's aim at the outset was to provide fresh and intense competition for teams against others they wouldn't ordinarily play against, to offer a truly international social experience, and to allow those passionate about sport to share their passion, then the Shrewsbury International Soccer Tournament has been a tremendous success.