YOUNG footballers from Helensburgh and Lomond's primary schools locked horns at Hermitage Academy as the annual Christian Aid football tournament made a welcome return.
After being cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic, the competition - part of Helensburgh's traditional Christian Aid Week fund-raising activities - saw teams from seven local schools do battle for the Karen Holborn Memorial Shield.
Qualification groups were drawn and resulted in Group A comprising Cardross, Kilcreggan, and Rhu whilst Group B featured Colgrain, Hermitage, Garelochhead and St Joseph’s.
Cardross Primary
Heavy, blustery rain failed to dampen the spirits of a very large crowd who were treated to a festival of football with plenty of skill, determination and sportsmanship on show.
Colgrain and Hermitage advanced to contest the first semi-final whilst the other semi-final featured Cardross and Rhu. Two exciting matches ended with Colgrain and Cardross progressing through to the final, where a very talented Colgrain side proved just too strong for their opponents and sealed a comfortable victory to lift the Karen Holborn Memorial Shield.
Rhu Primary
Action from the final
A spokesperson for the organisers said: “Thanks are due to a number of groups for all their efforts behind the scenes - to Eileen Drummond and colleagues at the Christian Aid team; to Martin Caldwell, our Active Schools Coordinator at Live Argyll; to tournament sponsor Helensburgh Toyota; to our referees Murray Fleming and Clive Charters, to Martin O’Brien Barden for capturing all the action and taking the team photos; and last but certainly not least to Ardencaple FC for all its hard work, facilitating yet another tremendously successful event.”
St Joseph’s Primary
Caple chairman Craig Holborn thanked all the schools for participating, their players, their teachers and coaches, and their friends and families for supporting the event.
He also offered thanks to Scott McTominay and family for their continued support of Ardencaple FC.
Ardencaple players present a cheque to Ellen Lambert and John Hanks from the local Christian Aid committee
Scott, the Manchester United and Scotland star, donated a signed jersey, which was the top prize in the raffle fund-raiser with all proceeds going to Christian Aid, along with a top-up cheque for £100 from Caple.
Craig then presented the Shield to Colgrain, and Kirsteen Don from Toyota presented medals to all finalists as well the Player of the Tournament trophy to Harry MacDonald, the Colgrain skipper.
Catherine Wright won the Manchester United jersey signed by Scott McTominay and is pictured receiving her prize from Eileen Drummond
Colgrain Primary's winning team
The evening raised £415 for the work of Christian Aid Scotland, while the signed jersey was won by Catherine Wright, who will be donating it to a (very excited!) member of her family.
A spokesperson for Helensburgh’s Christian Aid committee said: “Thanks to Ardencaple Football Club for organising the event and for their generous donation of £100 to Christian Aid.
Garelochhead Primary
Player of the tournament Harry MacDonald, captain of the winning Colgrain Primary team, with Kirsteen Don from Toyota
“Thanks also to Helensburgh Toyota for sponsoring the event and to Scott McTominay’s family for the donation of the shirt.
“Well done to everyone who braved the weather, all the kids were fantastic.”
Hermitage Primary
Craig said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have facilitated yet another tremendously successful event, which reflects the great work Caple performs within our community.
“Indeed, we are reinforcing that commitment by extending our activities to include boys and girls born in 2017, who can now join ‘Caple 1st – Football Fun for Wee Dribblers’.
Kilcreggan Primary
“Anyone interested should call club secretary Euan Birss on 07954 420778.
“We are also delighted to announce an important development with regards to our girls’ football squad, and we will be participating in a girls-only league commencing this August.
“Again, anyone interested should contact Euan.”
(All photos by Martin O'Brien Barden)
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