Forget France – all the action was at the Wee Toon’s football festival
TONIGHT’S Europe’s football superstars will battle on France’s fields but last Saturday Campbeltown’s Meadows saw 52 youth teams in the ultimate friendlies.
Fun fours, super fives and seven-a-sides filled 16 pitches in games lasting from 15 minutes for the 2009 to 2010s age group up to half-hour matches for the 2005s to 2007s.
Former Rangers man Charlie Miller, Scottish Young Player of the Year in 1995, made his first foray to Kintyre with the stars of his academy and brought four teams, a 2007, 2009 and two 2008s to join the fun.
At the other end of the professional spec- trum, Kintyre’s own Donald McCallum, 19, who has just renewed his contract with Dumbarton for another year, was on hand to present the Campbeltown Pottery medals to each young player.
McCallum said that the festival, currently organised by Campbeltown and District Juvenile Football Association’s (CDJFA) David Paterson, was one of the events he really looked forward to each year and he was happy to support it.
Before the presentation Paterson said: ‘There was absolutely brilliant play by all the teams. I would like to thank the parents and coaches who make this event possible.’
Pitches were sponsored by the following: Martine Craig, Beautiful (Helen Mitchell), N McCormick (Archie Johnston), Wee Toon Sports, SOS Fitness: Wee Toon Warriors, Raymond Hosie, Craigard House Hotel, Café Bluebell, Highland Fuels Ltd, Argyll Bakeries, the Courier, CMC (Ship Chandlers) Ltd, Healthy Argyll and Bute, Campbeltown Loyal, South Kintyre Sports Council, John Armour, Tesco, Co-op and AM Transport.
After the day’s games, McCallum, who has been hailed as perhaps Scotland’s most promising young player by a daily newspaper, spoke to the Courier and said: ‘It is still a big learn- ing curve for me in the Sons’ first team.
‘I made 19 appearances, four starts and have scored. ‘I am playing well in the team. Like all players I will be watching the Euros and I think France as the host nation is in with a chance of victory.