Amateurs buzzing to get the ball rolling
The big Perthshire Amateur Football kick-off has arrived – and teams across the county are raring to go.
League and cup fixtures get the action underway on Saturday afternoon following a summer of pre-season training and friendly matches.
Perthshire match secretary Tommy Swan is all set for startup and looking forward to an exciting year of competitive of football.
He was also quick to praise the sponsors of various league and cup competitions who play a key role in keeping hold of the feel-good factor.
“We’re looking forward to the season and are grateful to Loyal Fringes for sponsoring the Smith League Cup for a second year,” said Tommy.
“Without these cup sponsors we wouldn’t be able to host finals at Junior football grounds at the end of the season.
“We simply wouldn’t be
Tommy Swan, match secretary with the Perthshire Amateur FA, with Fiona Kerr and Cheasel Melia, business partners at Loyal Fringes, sponsors of this season’s Smith League Cup
able to have these events. It gives the businesses a chance to put something back into the community.
“There’s been at least 40 friendly fixtures in the lead up to the season with teams vying to get their strongest squad sorted.
“There is always a buzz about
it all and we have a new team with Stanley, so everything seems positive.
“When I first came in four seasons ago we had 30 teams, now we have 26. But we’re doing well to keep what we’ve got.
“There’s a lot of other sports and interests that are taking players away with other commitments like employment.
“It’s about the clubs and everyone making this whole football association work. It’s a pleasure to be involved.”
One team determined to piece together a productive campaign is Jeanfield Swifts AFC, who will this year compete in Division One.
Smith League Cup matches are on the fixture card for the majority of teams tomorrow with Swifts hosting Kinrossie.
“Pre-season has been going well and the players are getting back to the level of fitness that we need them at,” said Swifts assistant boss Lee Kelman.
“Results in pre-season have been okay. There have been a couple of great performances and one which was not so good.
“But it’s been more about getting the boys fitter and new players suited to the football that we want to play in time for the season starting.
“The main goal is to give a good account of ourselves in the first division. Last time was very poor and getting relegated wasn’t easy to take.
“But we feel as a group we’re a better team now.
“It’s a tough league where most teams can take points off each other.
“We’ve strengthened in certain areas with a couple of good additions to the squad. Hopefully that can get us to the top half of the league.
“We’re always looking for a good few cup runs as well.”
A&B Taxi Division One – Letham v Auchterarder. Smart Fixings Division Two – Rattray v Scone Thistle. Smith League Cup section one – Bridge of Earn v Stanley AFC, Jeanfield Swifts v Kinrossie. Section two – Balmoral v Burrelton, Letham CC v Craigie. Section 3 – Luncarty ASC v Ballinluig. Section 4 – Wolfhill v Pitfour. Section 5 – Dunkeld and Birnam v Kettins. Section 6 – Vale of Atholl v Bridgeton. Section 7 – Breadalbane v Alyth. Section 8 – Coupar Angus v Vale of Earn.
We are grateful to Loyal Fringes for sponsoring the Smith League Cup for a second year