Football festival

Over 500 children attended the Oban Youth Football Festival

MORE than 500 children from across Argyll and further afield were in Oban at the weekend for a football festival. Full story and picture special

OBAN and District Primary Football League hosted their annual football festival last Saturday at Mossfield and the rugby pitch, with the day being another great advert for youth football in Argyll.

A large crowd were treated to some fantastic entertainment from the 57 teams taking part across the 2005 to 2011 age groups, with more than 500 children showing off their football skills. The Oban teams at each age group were joined by teams from Lochnell FC and a number of travelling teams from Lochgilphead, Campbeltown, Dunoon, Glasgow, Dumbarton, Paisley and Fort William.

In the 2005 age group, the Ryan MacPhail Memorial Fund trophy was won by Oban Spartak, beating Giffnock in a tense penalty shoot- out in the final.

The organising committee would like to thank the large number of volunteers who helped make the day a huge success. They would also like to thank all those who kindly provided event sponsorship: Calum MacLeod Building Contractor, SEC Joiners and Builders, Tommy’s Hairdressers, RA Clement Associates Chartered Accountants, Aldi, the Oban Inn and Fiuran Property.

Also a big thanks to local Councillor Roddy McCuish who presented all players with their medals.

Photos: Kevin McGlynn Spartak with their coaches Neil Beaton, Shuggie Campbell and Bertie Gemmell along with Councillor Roddy McCuish who presented the prizes at the festival.

Councillor McCuish with one of the young Lochgilphead teams.

Action from the 2005 age group final between Oban Spartak and Giffnock.

The Lochnell girls team.

Lochnell 2008s.

Action from the Lochnell v Ajax match.

Oban Saints Ajax with their medals.

Councillor Roddy McCuish with the children who played in the festival’s junior section.