A team from South Shields has triumphed in the The Boys’ Brigade’s Senior Five-aside Football Finals.

The 15^th South Shields team won four of five matches to clinch the 2016 – 2017 title at an event hosted by Glasgow Battalion of The Boys’ Brigade on 22 April. The team, who were runners-up in last year’s finals, topped the table above second place team, 4^th Newtonabbey.

The winning team consisted of James Ingoe, Daniel Gray, Jordan Capeling, Harry Edwardson, Samuel Ingamells,, Luke Walker, Jordan Brindle and Harry Ludlow.

Five-aside Football is one of a series of competitions in which BB members from across the British Isles take part.

This year’s finals saw six teams – 15^th South Shields, 4^th Southampton, 2^nd Gourock, 1^st Buckie, 5^th Carrickfergus and 4^th Newtownabbey – competing at the Alistair McCoist Complex, East Kilbride.

The finalists were welcomed by the Depute Provost of South Lanarkshire Council, Pam Clearie and the boys from 15^th South Shields were presented with the trophy by BB Vice President Alistair Burrow and John Sharp, Director for Scotland, The Boys’ Brigade.

Member of the winning South Shields team, Daniel Gray (18) said:

“This means so much. It’s my last year in the company after seven years. We finished runners-up last year – it was so close.

“This time I think we all just wanted it so much more. I think the team has got good depth and has a real chance of defending the title next year.”

Goalkeeper Jordan Brindle (16) of 15^th South Shields said:

“It’s a big achievement considering we have tried many times before. We couldn’t have done this without the support from everyone at our BB company.”

Reacting to the team’s success, 15th South Shields Company Captain Alan Greener, commented:

“The boys in our team performed exceptionally well to win the UK 5-aside Seniors Final. We’ve been Runners-up on a number of occasions and to finally win the competition after many years of trying is a great achievement.

“The boys and indeed their coaches deserve an enormous amount of praise for all of their hard work in training over the course of the year.

“We would like to congratulate our fellow finalists and in particular all of those involved in the refereeing, hosting and organisation of the Finals.”

Event organiser, Jim McVean, CEO Glasgow Battalion, The Boys’ Brigade, said:

“Congratulations should go to all the teams who reached this year’s finals in East Kilbride, especially team from 15^th South Shields who were deserved winners. Reaching the finals is itself a great achievement and shows real dedication of the players and the volunteer leaders.

“Events like these are a fantastic showcase of what the BB offers – the chance to work together, compete and excel. The level of respect and sportsmanship, in particular, was a credit to these young people and the wider organisation.”

Find out more about the national competitions.

Tags: football, national competitions