Renfrew young guns aim to bring home the Lady Darling Cup
Renfrew FC’s under- 21 side has its eye on the prize as the squad prepares to fight it out for the Lady Darling Cup tomorrow evening.
The clash against Drumchapel Amateurs will be the first time that the ‘Frew youngsters have competed in a national cup final, and hopes are high that the side can bring the silverware back to the town.
The clash will take place at New Western Park, Renfrew, with kick-off scheduledw for 6.45pm.
Renfrew coach Mike Sharp is hoping for a big crowd to make its way to the ground to support the side, and has called on the town to come out in support.
Sharp told Express Sport: “It would be brilliant if we could get a big crowd down to back the boys. They have been brilliant throughout the season and getting to the final is a reward for their efforts.
“It has been a decent run to the final and they have faced a number of tough sides but it is a good group that we have here.
“It will be great to have the final at our own home, but Drumchapel are a good side and will provide as tough a test as we have faced in the cup so far.
“But we are hopeful that we can pull off the win and from our point of view it would be great to get a big number of fans through the door.”
It has been a long way to the top for the Renfrew side, who started out as a side known as the Mojams. The Mojams played in the Paisley and Johnstone District Youth Football League First Division from under-13 to under-17 age level.
They then changed their name to Renfrew FC in 2014, and continued to play in the Paisley and District leagues up to under-19 level. Although tomorrow night will be their first national final, the side has previously reached two Paisley and District finals before joining the U21 West of Scotland Youth Football League at the start of this season.
Since joining the Renfrew set-up, the side has gone from strength to strength, and Sharp revealed the move has aided the development of the club.
Sharp added: “The team has benefited from the use of the facilities at New Western Park. The boys train twice a week for two hours each night on a Monday and Wednesday between 8pm and 10pm and play their games at the stadium when available.
“The aim of the Renfrew FC Youth section is to hopefully bring players up to a standard that would enable them to move up to junior level with the club.
“All the squad have turned out with the juniors at some point over the last couple of years and have not let themselves down.
“Over the years, there have been many of the players who have made the transition to pro youth level at Rangers, St Mirren and Morton
“I’m anticipating a big crowd for what I believe will be a very competitive final against a very good Drumchapel Amateurs team.”