There was a rather unusual sight in Fettercairn show field last night as vintage tractors clashed in a game of ‘football’. Picture: Paul Reid.

EVENT: Fettercairn Show to host vintage tractor football in novel tournament designed to be a real crowd puller

It is a name synonymous with success in the Beautiful Game.

But as fans across the world continue to wish legendary manager Alex well in his recovery from recent brain surgery, it is a Fergie of the wee grey variety which is about to grab the football spotlight in a world first for the Aberdeenshire village of Fettercairn.

Vintage tractor football has been dreamed up as a draw for visitors to July’s Fettercairn Show and enthusiasts are already in training for the tournament they hope will pull the crowds.

The old workhorses owned by members of Mearns Vintage Vehicle Club are regularly on show at the annual event and club chairman Mike Robertson said the idea was to serve up “something a bit different” in the main arena. “We saw a clip of it being tried a few years ago in Ireland, but with new

“There’s a lot to think about, we’ve even been speaking about penalty shoot-outs in case that’s needed

tractors, so we thought why not try it with our vintage tractors,” said Mike.

Like the strips of clubs which grace pitches across the land, the Fettery teams on July 7 will be in familiar colours of Ferguson grey, Nuffield orange, Ford blue and Massey red.

With the seed of the idea sown, the club turned to the historic Montrose Rope and Sail Company to produce a ball which will be battered around the pitch by the old tractors, and the firm has created a six-foot football which they are confident will be a match for anything.

“It’ll be three-a-side, one touch and 15 minutes each way,” said Mike.

“We’ve had a couple of practice sessions to see how it will all work in the main show ring, and plan to have two semi-finals and a final around 4pm, so hopefully people will stay around to see that.

“There’s a lot to think about, we’ve even been speaking about penalty shootouts in case that’s needed.”

Former Brechin FC chairman Dave Birse, a well-known figure in local agricultural circles, has agreed to pick up the mike as commentator for the unusual spectacle.

Mike added: “It’s a great show and always popular but it’s all about trying to get the crowds in and hopefully this is something that might encourage some more people along.”

Picture: Paul Reid. Players for the four teams of tractors, from famous makes Ferguson, Nuffield, Ford and Massey, train for the Fettercairn Show.