The Paul Jones Football Festival took place on Saturday 20 June and saw over 140 children compete in the tournament, organised by the Council’s Active Schools and Community Sport Team. The festival was open to all Stewartry Primary schools and attracted an excellent entry this year.
The festival at St Mary’s 3G Pitch followed a four week League which was split into 2 divisions of 7 teams. The event included stages in Kirkcudbright, Dalry, Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie before the finals day at Saint Cuthbert Wanderers 3G pitch on Saturday 20 June.
Teams from Auchencairn, Borgue, Crossmichael, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, Dalry Gatehouse, Hardgate, Kirkcudbright, Lochrutton, Twynholm and a Dalbeattie partnership team from Colvend, Palnackie and Kirkgunzeon were split into an A League and B League for the finals based on league standings throughout the four weeks.
Every team played at the finals day with the top two from each league playing off in the final to see who won the trophy.
In the A league after all the league fixtures were played, Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright played off in the final. A hard fought game looked like extra time might be needed but a single goal retained for the fifth year in a row the trophy for Castle Douglas Primary school against the unlucky Kirkcudbright Primary team. Castle Douglas went through the tournament undefeated and collected the trophy thanks to that single goal in the final.
In the B league the top two teams after the league fixtures were Gatehouse Lions and Lochrutton, after full time the teams were tied 0-0 so an extra period was needed; with three minutes left Lochrutton found the net to take the lead and lift the title.
Chair of the Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee, Councillor Tom McAughtrie said of the event;
“The event received a superb entry this year and that’s pleasing to see. The competitive nature of the league shows that our Council’s football development programme is working and school children are clearly enjoying the programme, given the high level of entries received. Our Council is committed to providing the best start in life for our children, and sports event like the Paul Jones Football Festival help us achieve these priorities.”
The programme provided the opportunity for children across the Stewartry to participate in football and provided a link to the Active Schools and Community Sport Team’s football development programme as well as to local football clubs.
The Council would like to thank Norman Richardson from the Paul Jones Bakery for sponsoring and presenting the trophies as well as Saint Cuthbert Wanderers, Threave Rovers FC and Dalry School for the use of their facilities.
The Paul Jones 7 a side football festival has been running since 1996 and is sponsored by Mr Richardson from the Paul Jones Bakery in Kirkcudbright.
