Pupils get a taste of the big leagues

Tesco Bank Football Challenge teamed up with the Scottish FA and East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust - supported by the council - to give children the chance to strut their stuff at the multi-million-pound facility.

Some 180 pupils from Twechar, St Flannan’s, Craigdhu, Lennoxtown, St Andrew’s and Mosshead Primary Schools were invited to the event after taking part in the Scottish FA’s flagship participation programme.

And former Celtic and Scotland player Tom Boyd supported the festival by holding a question-and-answer session during the day.

Speaking afterwards, the star defender said: “The children had a great day at the Tesco Bank Football Challenge and it is wonderful to see so many young children playing.

“Programmes such as these are vital if we are to keep children healthy and hopefully to fulfil their ambitions of being a footballer.”

Scott Hill, chairman of EDLC Trust, said: “The Tesco Bank Football Challenge continues to grow across the length and breadth of the country and we were pleased to welcome the children to Lennoxtown for this latest festival.

“Everyone who attended had a terrific time and enjoyed the variety of coaching and games which were on offer.”

Councillor Alan Moir, the council’s convener of revelopment and regeneration, thanked Tesco Bank Football Challenge for their continued support and Celtic Football Club for the use of their training ground.