The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Lochgelly team to represent Scotland in home international
Event will be held at Kelty Hearts’ ground
A team from Fife are hoping to bring football home.
The hotly anticipated Coalfields Home Football Internationals will be held at Kelty Hearts’ ground on Sunday July 29.
More than 120 youngsters from the home nations will battle it out for victory in the annual tournament.
Representing Scotland will be a group of young footballers from Lochgelly.
For the past 10 years, the Coalfields Home Football Internationals have been hosted by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which supports initiatives to improve the health and employment prospects of those from former mining communities.
To earn their place in the final, Scottish players took part in the Community Cup tournament held in Alloa.
Four teams will now represent Scotland.
As well as Lochgelly, the boys’ teams of Milton Rovers from Bannockburn will fly the Saltire in the boys’ competition.
Meanwhile Boroughmuir and Central Girls will represent Scotland in the girls’ contest.
The event will bring mining communities together from Scotland, England and Wales and offer the youngsters the chance to compete and have fun.
Those travelling to Scotland from England and Wales will be given the opportunity to visit Tynecastle and Manchester City football grounds before they make their way to Kelty Hearts to play this weekend.
Ian Dibdin, from Central Girls Football Academy, said: “We managed to qualify for the final and will represent Scotland this weekend.
“We’re looking forward to competing and meeting up with the other teams from England and Wales in what we’re sure will be a fantastic weekend.”
Coalfields trustee Nicky Wilson added: “We’re thrilled that the Home Internationals this year are being hosted in Scotland.
“We’ve had a phenomenal build up to this day, with tournaments being hosted up and down the country to ensure the nations put their best teams forward.
“Young people are the future of our communities and are crucial to their regeneration.”
Tickets are available from July 28 and on the day from Kelty Hearts’ ground.
We’re looking forward to competing and meeting up with the other teams from England and Wales