Falkirk Cup 2012 Report

Falkirk Cup 2012
 
Friday 6th April saw action get underway in The Falkirk Cup 2012 sponsored by Street Lighting Supplies. The competition, now in its fifth year, is the largest youth tournament in Scotland organised by a professional football club.with  130 teams taking  part in this years event.
 
The first two days of the event was for the development football age groups, with Fun Fours for Under 8s (joining the tournament for the first time) and Soccer Sevens for the Under 9s, Under 10s, Under 11s and Under 12s. A special treat for the Under 9s age group was the opportunity to play all of their games on the main pitch at The Falkirk Stadium. Cheered on by spectators from the stands, with the PA booming, it really was a once in a lifetime experience for the player. It gave them a taster of what could happen if they continue to work hard and progress through the ranks. Also in attendance over the 2 days were guest appearances from Steven Pressley, Alex Smith, Steven Crawford, Neil McFarlane, Jim Preston and Falkirk first team players fresh from their victory in the Ramsdens Cup. Farid El Aligui, Stewart Murdoch, Rhys Bennet and former Trinidad and Tobago world cup star Colin Sammuel were among the stars who dropped into chat to all the players.
 
The other three age groups were split between the grass and artificial pitches at Little Kerse Playing Fields, Grangemouth. There was a festival atmosphere around the facility as teams pitched up their tents for two packed days of the beautiful game.
 
Teams gathered from all over Scotland with representation from Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Dumbartonshire and as far afield as Inverness in the Highlands. Travelling from further yet, were Northend United Youth who made the journey from Ballymena, Northern Ireland. United's Head of Football Development, John Devlin, said: "It has been an excellent experience for all of our teams that have came over. It's our first time at the festival and the standard of football has been excellent, with opposing coaches friendly and happy to share advice."
 
Once the football had been played each and every team was given a medal in the presentation ceremonies. The Under 9s got to climb the Falkirk Stadium steps before showing off their gleaming prizes to the large crowds gathered below, but the players at Little Kerse were not to be outdone. Making a guest appearance was the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League podium, giving every team the chance to get their photo taken and dream of returning to the platform when they are a little bit older.
 
Falkirk Football Foundation Manager Richard Fox commented: "It has been 4 fantastic days of football. We have seen great goals, great saves and no doubt some future stars. A big thank you must go to the players, coaches and parents for creating such a positive atmosphere over the 4 days. We also couldn't have been here without the backing of main sponsor Street Lighting Supplies and the help given by RJM Sports and Steven Barr at Little Kerse."
The event may still only be young in terms of running, but what has been on show so far has been a resounding success. Below are the teams who took part (with many clubs having multiple teams at the age group):
 
2003
Currie Star, Central Rio, St Peter's BC, Milton SS, Scotland BC, Stenhousemuir Community, Airdrie United BC, AM Soccer, Lenzie YC, Barrhead YFC, Falkirk FCF Girls, Falkirk FCF, Duloch Juniors, Northend United YFC, Gairdoch United, Clachnacuddin Rovers, Bayside Blaze, Steins Thistle, Lanark Thistle, Letham Community Club, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Bo'ness United.
 
2002
Scotland BC, Stenhousemuir Community, Spartans, Syngenta Juveniles, Falkirk FCF, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, AM Soccer, Currie Star, Stirling City, Clachnacuddin Hotspurs, Edinburgh City, Steins Thistle, Falkirk FCF Girls, Gairdoch FC and Pitfour FC.

2001
Syngenta Juveniles, Gairdoch United, East Kilbride FC, Thornton Locos, East Fife JSC, Stenhousemuir Community, Nothend United Youth, Cumbernauld Colts, Bo'ness United, Falkirk FCF, Falkirk FCF Girls, Riverside FC, Glenrothes Athletic, Bathgate Rose, Stirling Albion and Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.
 
2000
Alva Swifts, Edina Hibs, Falkirk FCF Girls, AM Soccer, West Park United, Central Rio, Spartans, Balgonie Scotia, Falkrik FCF, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Stenhousemuir Community, Northend United Youth, Bo'ness United and Dunblane Soccer Club
 


Falkirk Cup 2012 - Days 3 + 4 Youth Tournament
 
Falkirk Cup 2012 drew to a close today, with Monday finals capping off a fantastic holiday weekend of football.
 
The second half of the Easter weekend brought in the older competitive age groups, held at Little Kerse, Grangemouth. The squads competed in a league format, with the top teams doing battle on the Monday afternoon for the title of Falkirk Cup champions. As well as the cup itself, all teams participating were able to compete for a Falkirk Community Plate trophy.
 
After plenty final day football, the highlight of the weekend was the finals, Musselburgh Windsor Colts vs Hampden BC at the younger age group, and Glenrothes Athletic FC vs Grahamston FC the older section.
 
Musselburgh showed their strength throughout the 40 minute final, with the on form Liam Glen netting two for the Colts. Despite a strong second half start, Hampden were not able to produce chances in front of goal, allowing Musselburgh to seal the win with a final goal, finishing 3-0 to the South East side.
The 15s final produced a tighter result, with Grahamston taking a two goal lead, Glenrothes kept pushing hard and got a late goal, however time was always against them in the short match format, resulting in a 2-1 victory to the local Grahamston side.
It goes without saying the football on display was top notch, with coaches & players showing exemplary attitudes throughout. Each finals winning team were recognised of their achievements with multiple presentations on the final day of the cup.
Congratulation to the efforts of the Falkirk staff and volunteers including  Dads’ Army for delivering yet another very successful Falkirk Cup. A full run down of scores along with video highlights from the weekend can be viewed on the Youth Football Scotland website
 
The results
U15s
1st - Grahamston FC
2nd - Glenrothes Athletic FC
3rd - Fallen Violet
U14s
1st - Musselburgh Windsor Colts
2nd - Hampden BC
3rd - Girvan Youth FC
Falkirk Cup 2012
 
Friday 6th April saw action get underway in The Falkirk Cup 2012 sponsored by Street Lighting Supplies. The competition, now in its fifth year, is the largest youth tournament in Scotland organised by a professional football club.with  130 teams taking  part in this years event.
 
The first two days of the event was for the development football age groups, with Fun Fours for Under 8s (joining the tournament for the first time) and Soccer Sevens for the Under 9s, Under 10s, Under 11s and Under 12s. A special treat for the Under 9s age group was the opportunity to play all of their games on the main pitch at The Falkirk Stadium. Cheered on by spectators from the stands, with the PA booming, it really was a once in a lifetime experience for the player. It gave them a taster of what could happen if they continue to work hard and progress through the ranks. Also in attendance over the 2 days were guest appearances from Steven Pressley, Alex Smith, Steven Crawford, Neil McFarlane, Jim Preston and Falkirk first team players fresh from their victory in the Ramsdens Cup. Farid El Aligui, Stewart Murdoch, Rhys Bennet and former Trinidad and Tobago world cup star Colin Sammuel were among the stars who dropped into chat to all the players.
 
The other three age groups were split between the grass and artificial pitches at Little Kerse Playing Fields, Grangemouth. There was a festival atmosphere around the facility as teams pitched up their tents for two packed days of the beautiful game.
 
Teams gathered from all over Scotland with representation from Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Dumbartonshire and as far afield as Inverness in the Highlands. Travelling from further yet, were Northend United Youth who made the journey from Ballymena, Northern Ireland. United's Head of Football Development, John Devlin, said: "It has been an excellent experience for all of our teams that have came over. It's our first time at the festival and the standard of football has been excellent, with opposing coaches friendly and happy to share advice."
 
Once the football had been played each and every team was given a medal in the presentation ceremonies. The Under 9s got to climb the Falkirk Stadium steps before showing off their gleaming prizes to the large crowds gathered below, but the players at Little Kerse were not to be outdone. Making a guest appearance was the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League podium, giving every team the chance to get their photo taken and dream of returning to the platform when they are a little bit older.
 
Falkirk Football Foundation Manager Richard Fox commented: "It has been 4 fantastic days of football. We have seen great goals, great saves and no doubt some future stars. A big thank you must go to the players, coaches and parents for creating such a positive atmosphere over the 4 days. We also couldn't have been here without the backing of main sponsor Street Lighting Supplies and the help given by RJM Sports and Steven Barr at Little Kerse."
The event may still only be young in terms of running, but what has been on show so far has been a resounding success. Below are the teams who took part (with many clubs having multiple teams at the age group):
 
2003
Currie Star, Central Rio, St Peter's BC, Milton SS, Scotland BC, Stenhousemuir Community, Airdrie United BC, AM Soccer, Lenzie YC, Barrhead YFC, Falkirk FCF Girls, Falkirk FCF, Duloch Juniors, Northend United YFC, Gairdoch United, Clachnacuddin Rovers, Bayside Blaze, Steins Thistle, Lanark Thistle, Letham Community Club, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Bo'ness United.
 
2002
Scotland BC, Stenhousemuir Community, Spartans, Syngenta Juveniles, Falkirk FCF, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, AM Soccer, Currie Star, Stirling City, Clachnacuddin Hotspurs, Edinburgh City, Steins Thistle, Falkirk FCF Girls, Gairdoch FC and Pitfour FC.
 
2001
Syngenta Juveniles, Gairdoch United, East Kilbride FC, Thornton Locos, East Fife JSC, Stenhousemuir Community, Nothend United Youth, Cumbernauld Colts, Bo'ness United, Falkirk FCF, Falkirk FCF Girls, Riverside FC, Glenrothes Athletic, Bathgate Rose, Stirling Albion and Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.
 
2000
Alva Swifts, Edina Hibs, Falkirk FCF Girls, AM Soccer, West Park United, Central Rio, Spartans, Balgonie Scotia, Falkrik FCF, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Stenhousemuir Community, Northend United Youth, Bo'ness United and Dunblane Soccer Club
 

Falkirk Cup 2012 - Days 3 + 4 Youth Tournament
 
Falkirk Cup 2012 drew to a close today, with Monday finals capping off a fantastic holiday weekend of football.
 
The second half of the Easter weekend brought in the older competitive age groups, held at Little Kerse, Grangemouth. The squads competed in a league format, with the top teams doing battle on the Monday afternoon for the title of Falkirk Cup champions. As well as the cup itself, all teams participating were able to compete for a Falkirk Community Plate trophy.
 
After plenty final day football, the highlight of the weekend was the finals, Musselburgh Windsor Colts vs Hampden BC at the younger age group, and Glenrothes Athletic FC vs Grahamston FC the older section.
 
Musselburgh showed their strength throughout the 40 minute final, with the on form Liam Glen netting two for the Colts. Despite a strong second half start, Hampden were not able to produce chances in front of goal, allowing Musselburgh to seal the win with a final goal, finishing 3-0 to the South East side.
The 15s final produced a tighter result, with Grahamston taking a two goal lead, Glenrothes kept pushing hard and got a late goal, however time was always against them in the short match format, resulting in a 2-1 victory to the local Grahamston side.
It goes without saying the football on display was top notch, with coaches & players showing exemplary attitudes throughout. Each finals winning team were recognised of their achievements with multiple presentations on the final day of the cup.
Congratulation to the efforts of the Falkirk staff and volunteers including  Dads’ Army for delivering yet another very successful Falkirk Cup. A full run down of scores along with video highlights from the weekend can be viewed on the Youth Football Scotland website
 
The results
U15s
1st - Grahamston FC
2nd - Glenrothes Athletic FC
3rd - Fallen Violet
U14s
1st - Musselburgh Windsor Colts
2nd - Hampden BC
3rd - Girvan Youth FC