The photo shows the Campbeltown team with Kevin Gilchrist and representatives from the Lloyds Banking Group, East Ayrshire Council, Kilmarnock Football Club and MSP Des Browne.
CAMPBELTOWN BOYS WIN SFA SOCCER TOURNAMENT
Campbeltown has beaten off competition from across the west of Scotland to emerge victorious from the Scottish Football Association’s Midnightleague Soccer tournament.
The Bank of Scotland-sponsored event, held at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park ground, featured 16 boys’ and eight girls’ teams in the south west/west final.
The Rothesay boys’ team, which was made up of players aged between 12 and 14, lost in the semi finals of their age category to a team from Ayrshire.
But Campbeltown swept all opposition aside in the 14 years and over competition, winning the final 1-0 against another Ayrshire team.
Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sport, Councillor Douglas Philand, congratulated the boys on their achievement.
“This is a fantastic programme, which brings hundreds of kids together in communities across Scotland to enjoy a game of football,” he said.
“From what I have heard, the standard at this tournament was extremely high, and the teams from both Campbeltown and Rothesay obviously did us proud.
“This is the first time in the three years of the competition that a team from Argyll and Bute has won it. It’s a great accomplishment, and I am sure the cup now has pride of place in the Campbeltown trophy cabinet.”
Campbeltown coach Kevin Gilchrist was also delighted by the performance.
“It was a proud day for everyone. The tournament was a fantastic occasion, and the boys were a credit to both their school and to Campbeltown both in terms of their play and their conduct,” he added.
Also attending were Argyll and Bute Council’s Football Development Officer Dylan Kerr, and the Council’s Principal Leisure Officer Willie Young.
Teams from East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Argyll and Bute, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire all took part.
Kilmarnock FC Chairman Michael Johnson, Local MP Des Browne, East Ayrshire’s Depute Provost John Campbell and Councillor Kathy Morrice joined in the finals day excitement as they handed out medals and trophies to the winners.
The Depute Provost made special mention of Campbeltown keeper Craig Lamont, who played out of his skin to ensure Campbeltown won. The scorer in the final was Ryan Gilchrist.
This year’s Midnightleague programme has been running at over 30 sports centres across the West and South West of Scotland since January.
The programme aims to get boys and girls across Scotland off the streets and onto the pitch by giving them the chance to play organised five-a-side football in the evening.
Susan Rice, Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group in Scotland said: “Congratulations to all the teams on reaching the regional final in Kilmarnock.
“Bank of Scotland launched the Midnightleague as a pilot scheme in 2003 and it has become a great success across Scotland. This year has again seen the initiative running in all 32 Local Authorities, reaching 10,000 youngsters throughout the country.”
The Midnightleague programme is delivered by the Scottish FA in partnership with Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities Scheme, Coalfield Regeneration Trust, local authorities and police forces.
