Prize-winning Pupils U16s celebrate a successful year
Campbeltown’s trophy-winning under-16s celebrated their successful year by swapping their football boots for Xbox controllers to play the beautiful game. The Campbeltown Pupils 2002s, who picked up the first trophy won by a Campbeltown 11-a-side team in the Dunbartonshire Football Development League, played football on the big screen after their end-ofseason prize-giving in Campbeltown Picture House. Before the awards started, coach Darren Renton thanked the players for showing courage in what was, at times, a difficult season, both on and off the field. He congratulated the players on getting their just reward, winning the Michael McGinley shield at the end of the season, saying it was testament to how far the team had come over the season. Liam Renton also spoke about how well the players had done, saying he was very proud of their achievements. He said he considered the team not only as players but as his friends and hoped he would play alongside them in the near future. As this was the final season for the 2002s, both coaches said they hoped all the youngsters would carry on playing as they move on to other teams. Darren and Liam thanked Willie Renton, who was unable to attend the event, for his help and work over the season. The prize-winners were as follows: Coaches’ player of the year: Calum Cook. Parents’ player of the year: Calum Cook. Players’ player of the year: Elliot Gemmill. Best goal: Archie McKellar. Top goal-scorer: Elliot Gemmill. Clubman of the year: Calum McKillop. Best trainer: Ross Brown. Most improved player: Kyle Colville. Worst missed goal opportunity: Kyle Colville. Most assists: Fraser MacBrayne. Training biggest character: Liam Stacey. Crossbar challenge: Bobby Blackstock. Threeman team challenge: Fraser MacBrayne, Kyle Colville, Alistair Ferguson. Penalty shootout winner: Fraser MacBrayne. Worst dressed at event: Elliot Gemmill. Fair play award: James Campbell. Best cheerleader: Archie McKellar Sr. The coaches thanked parents for their help and support over the year. Darren presented his wife Caroline with flowers and thanked her for her support and, in turn, Caroline thanked everyone for their support of her over the year. Anne Littleson of Killegruer Caravan Site was thanked for her sponsorship of the team and was presented with flowers. On behalf of all the parents, Stephen Lang thanked the coaches for their effort over the years and made it known how grateful and appreciative they are for their hard work, presenting them with a small gift. A lovely cake was rolled in and presented, to Suzy Ferguson’s embarrassment, as the room sang happy birthday to her. It has to be said the cake never made it out the room as it was eaten in minutes. David Paterson made a speech on behalf of the Campbeltown and District Juvenile Football Association thanking the coaches for years of hard work with the young players. David spoke very highly of the coaches and congratulated them and the players for bringing home the Michael McGinley shield. The parents were also thanked for their efforts as to make these teams work, families need to be involved where they can. David brought the ceremony to an emotional close by thanking the coaches and, in particular, Darren and his wife Caroline, who have had a difficult year of their own. They were thanked for managing to keep on going with the team and appreciation was shown with well-deserved gifts for the couple. The evening became more relaxed as the players tackled each other, this time on an Xbox on the large cinema screen.