Swifts 2007 trophy joy was just reward for all their hard work

Talented young football players at Jeanfield Swifts 2007 were delighted to get their hands on the league trophy last week.

The under-13 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the Perth side’s unbeaten 10-game start to the campaign was rewarded.

Coaches Robert Stark and Alan Murrie watched their young stars celebrate and lift the trophy down at the Riverside pitches.

“The season was cut short due to COVID-19 but the league decided to award titles based on position and average points,” Robert said.

“We had a wee presentation down at Jeanfield and we were all really happy with the season.

“They managed to go through it undefeated, albeit there were still a couple of months to run.

“The players did really well and it was just reward. The vast majority of them have been together for a good six or seven years, going back to fun fours and super fives.

“There have obviously been a few who have dropped out over the years - a few have come in - but there is certainly a good core.

“It was nice of the Perth and Kinross Youth Football Association to actually award league titles, because I think a lot of other associations have not done it.”

The young Swifts will now move on to the under-14 Fife league when competitive football makes a comeback.

Robert said:“We resumed training around three weeks ago when we were allowed to go up to larger groups with a couple of coaches.

“We’ve got a squad of 18 players at the moment. It’s a boys’ team but we also have a girl who plays and she is a really good player.

“At the moment there are no games but friendlies will hopefully begin from September 14 and then games from the middle of October.

“We’ve joined the Fife under-14 league for the season coming up.

“We’ll be in the First Division in Fife and that should be a good challenge for the team.”

While still young in their football journeys, there is great opportunities through the age groups at Swifts.

Robert added: “It’s a really good pathway, especially now that there is the under-20s set up.

“The senior team is doing really well, as are the amateurs. It’s great for the kids to know they can move through the groups.”