West Dunbartonshire’s youngest football team have started training, and it could put some local youngsters on the pathway to a lifelong connection with an Alexandria club.
Vale of Leven’s recently formed 2016s team gives kids as young as three the opportunity to get active - and with a pathway to senior and then walking football it could see local players spend their entire life with the club.
Formed over lockdown, head coach Andy Haig started the team for football mad daughter Kyra, with partner Joanne McLaren telling the Lennox Herald they were taken aback by how instantly popular it became.
She told us “Andy set up the club initially for Kyra. He already coaches with the Vale 2011s so he has all his badges but in the first week there were already 16 people who came along.
“That’s now up to 20, which is the maximum they can take, so there’s a waiting list.
“We’ve been flabbergasted by how popular it is.
“It’s a proper wee football club now and it’s just the cutest thing to see all the kids having fun in their kits.”
The kids have chosen a good time to sign for the Vale, as they launch an academy aimed at giving kids of all ages a pathway into senior football in the new West of Scotland League.
Vale record appearance holder Alex Lacy was instrumental in its formation, and he hopes it will help more local kids follow in his footsteps by playing for their local team.
He added: “We’re about putting something back into the community.
“It’s about passing on my experience to the players and we’re open to everyone in the community regardless of ability.
“It’s not all about winning. It’s about development and getting kids off the Playstation and out getting physically fit. We’re a club who’ll encompass everyone.
“Obviously the goal is to see one of your former players on the TV but the next best thing is playing for your local club.”
