Primary Stars get ready for league kick-off

Budding young Lochaber footballers have a new league in which to show off their skills.

The newly-established Highland League Primary Stars football league kicks off at the end of the month in Fort William to give young footballers a chance to compete against their peers.

Supported by Fort William Football Club and sponsored by several other local businesses, the league has organised matches each Saturday morning at Claggan Park from the end of the month until the summer holidays.

Linda Laverty, who has almost single-handedly set up the new league, is looking forward to the opening tournament and is pleased with the response so far.

‘The support has been great. So many people have said it has been years since we've had something like this,' she said. ‘I just wanted to organise some friendly games but all the primary schools seemed keen so I decided to set up the league.'

Mrs Laverty said the idea is to ‘support our young football stars doing what they love... playing football'.

Already, since the announcement of the new league, schools have reported an increase in numbers and a renewed excitement at training. The first tournament of the new league will take place on Saturday March 30. Matches will be held every Saturday, weather permitting, until Saturday June 15.

The final tournament of the league season will be on Saturday June 22 when there will also be a prize-giving ceremony.

A number of local businesses have backed the league and Mrs Laverty thanks Allan Simpson, Jamie MacIntyre, Colin Wood, Callum Duffy, Donald MacNeil, Dale Monk, Donnie Robertson, Scott Vance and Shiel Buses. Martin Cairns from Slipway Autos has paid for medals and cups for the first tournament, while David Smillie of the Volunteer Arms has sponsored the final tournament in June and paid for trophies and medals.

A Grand National auction night has been organised on Friday April 5 at Tradewinds, Corpach, at 7.30pm, to raise funds.

To follow updates and get more information on the league, visit the Highland League Primary Stars Facebook page.

Above: Young footballers from across Lochaber are looking forward to the opening day of the league on Saturday March 30.

Right: Organisers and sponsors of the Highland League Primary Stars, left to right: Willie Edwards and Colin Wood, both Fort William Football Club directors, Dale Monk of The Crofter Bar and Linda Laverty.