Footy tourney is a lasting legacy to church elder

Last Sunday afternoon, our church held the second annual children’s football tournament at the Kirktonholme pitches.

The tournament was set up two years ago in memory of one of our church elders, Angus McConnell. In addition to the service Angus offered to the church, he was also heavily involved in amateur football, so it is a fitting way to remember him and give thanks for his contribution to our community.

There were six church teams taking part in the tournament. In addition to our Old Parish team,

Claremont church sent in a team as did Cambuslang Parish church, Motherwell St Mary’s church, Strathaven Trinity church, and St Bride’s church sent in a team from St Kenneth’s Primary School. Last year, St Kenneth’s won the competition, and this year they entered a more mixed age team, and still they won.

Our Old Parish team came fourth, and it was a fantastic afternoon. We were fortunate that the rain stayed away, although at times it was only just staying away.

All too often in the west of Scotland, football is something which divides families, friendship groups, and even communities. This was not the case last Sunday, when over 70 children aged between five and 11 took to the There were teams where the average age was perhaps around seven, while other teams average age was around ten. There were tall players, shorter players, male players, female players, and it was all good fun. We had the services of a couple of good referees, and while there was some serious tackling, there was no need for yellow or red cards, and everyone got a medal (and a hot dog) at the end.

Sometimes I wonder why children can accept one another just as they are, yet adults find that more difficult.

The children taking part on Sunday just saw each other as fellow children, and while everyone tried hard to be the best players they could be, everything was good natured. When a player was injured, it didn’t matter what team they were playing for, everyone came to their aid. In the final game when it was obvious that neither of the teams playing would be the overall winners, all the rules went out the window, and each team brought on all their players. It was chaos, but goodpitch. natured chaos.

What a fitting tribute Sunday was to Angus McConnell. Angus became a member of the Old Parish Church in 1949. He became an elder in 1960 and was a Boys’ Brigade officer as well. In 1967 he was a founding member of East Kilbride Sports Council and in 1984 he was awarded life membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association. In 2016, he was awarded the British Empire medal for services to sport. Angus was so proud of all these achievements, but I know he would be proudest to see these all these children involved in sport last Sunday afternoon. That’s a legacy to leave to the community.