Members of 2^nd Gourock company, The Boys’ Brigade (BB), have been crowned National Senior Football Champions at the UK & ROI Finals at at Powerleague, Pride Park in Derby. Teams from across the British Isles took part in the event organised by East Midland District of The Boys’ Brigade.

Leigh Maydew, Executive member and Vice Chair of the England Regional Committee, presented the National Trophy to the members of the 2^nd Gourock, who clinched the title for the second year in a row and fifth time in the last nine years. Making up the team were Mark McCready, Matthew MacKinnon , Innes Lowrie, Calum Taggart , Andrew Ellis and Andrew Monk.

Speaking afterwards, Andrew Elllis, captain of the winning team said:

2nd Gourock, National Senior Football Champions

“Nothing really compares to it! Knowing you are the best BB 5-aside team in Britain for the second year in a row is an amazing feeling!”

Another member of the team, Mark McCready, will achieve The BB’s highest award, The Queen’s Badge, in a few weeks’ time. He added:

“All of the team have grown up together with a BB and football background and some have pursued football as a career. We’ve also grown up playing against each other and also in the same team outside of BB. I believe this has really helped when we play together in BB National competitions.”

The national football competition is one of series of sporting tournaments in which BB members from across the British Isles take part.

Bill Stevenson, Acting Brigade Secretary, said:

“Congratulations to the team from 2^nd Gourock who have won the title for the second year running. Teams from the company have consistently achieved at the highest level and this underlines the level of skill and teamwork, as well as the dedication of the BB leaders supporting the team.

“Getting to the final is an achievement in itself and the result of months of hard work. Football is one of several competitions which The Boys’ Brigade offers in order to challenge to our young people, build a sense of teamwork, help them develop skills and lead more active lives.”

As well as 2^nd Gourock, teams competing in the final were from Mid Surrey, Carrickfergus, South Shields, East Kilbride and Newton Abbey.

The final standings were:

1st – 2nd Gourock

2nd – 15th South Shields

3rd – 5th Carrickfergus

4th – 16th Newtownabbey

5th – 10th Mid-Surrey

6th – 2nd East Kilbride

Tags: football, national competitions, seniors