ENGLAND Under-17 assistant coach Kenny Swain returns to Grimsby for the first time in more than a decade tomorrow when the national youngsters take on Australia.

The 58-year-old from the Wirral, right, was manager of the Mariners for a large part of the 1996/7 campaign and is looking forward to a Blundell Park return.

Swain stepped up from number two when Brian Laws was sacked and John Cockerill's brief spell wasn't to the board's liking.

Ultimately, it ended in disappointment for Swain after five months and just 30 matches in charge as he, too, lost his job when Town were relegated from Division One on the final day.

Since then, the European Cup winner with Aston Villa has been working in youth football and makes a return as part of the England Under-17 set-up as the young lions take part in a four-team mini-tournament, as reported.

And he is delighted football fans in Grimsby will get the chance to see the international stars of the future this weekend.

Swain said: "I've not been back to Grimsby since I left apart from watching one game just over 10 years ago.

"I've been back to Lincolnshire with an England Under-16 team to play Scotland at Sincil Bank but not this part of the county.

"I'm looking forward to it and it will be great for the fans in that area who I know love their football.

"The idea of this tournament is to take an international team around the country and let supporters see the talent we have coming through – particularly after the disappointing summer for the senior team.

"We have talented players coming through and I'm pleased we can take the team to Grimsby in this tournament.

"I've been working with young

players since I left Grimsby Town back in 1997.

"I first joined the PFA as a coach and then six months later the opportunity at the Football Association came up – I had been involved part time at the national centre in Lilleshall before that.

"I've been doing it ever since and love my job, helping to identify young talent for the national team."

The four-team competition kicked off yesterday when Portugal beat Australia 4-3 at Scunthorpe and England came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Turkey at Sincil Bank.

They will face the Aussies next at Blundell Park tomorrow before rounding off their involvement on Sunday against Portugal at Glanford Park.

Meanwhile, Blundell Park will host the Australia versus Turkey clash at the same time on Sunday (3pm).

And Swain says it is a great chance for the new group to shine after last season's crop beat Spain to win the UEFA Under-17 European Championships in Liechtenstein in May.

Swain, head coach of the U16s but who assists U17 counterpart John Peacock as well, added: "Last year was a good year – an exceptional group who had excelled at U16 level and went on to be the best in Europe last season at U17 level.

"This year we are looking at another good group who have improved immensely at U16 level – one of the best I can remember working with.

"A tournament like this is good for their education and what we, as coaches, need ahead of an important campaign which starts with a tough trip to Georgia in European qualifying in October.

"This tournament is part of a structured programme for the boys and very useful.

"These are the best English youngsters from our big clubs.

"These are players that have been tracked from an early age and it's always important to see them in matches in proper stadiums like Blundell Park against good talent from countries like Portugal and Turkey, who always have good younger teams.

"We're all looking forward to having the squad go to Grimsby and hopefully the fans will come along and support the boys."

Tickets for tomorrow's Under-17 international are priced just £3 for adults and £1 concessions and available from the Blundell Park ticket office or by calling 01472 605050.