An unbeaten league season is quite an achievement for any team. A 100% win record is simply amazing. Add two further cup triumphs to this league success and you are talking about something truly outstanding. That is exactly what Fairmuir 2002s have managed to pull off this season.
"The team was simply flawless in what was their first competitive season," manager Graham Buchan told Youth Football Scotland.
He said: "Definitely the two fixtures against a very strong Dryburgh team which saw Fairmuir win both games. Other important fixtures that proved to be more of a mental challenge, for the boys, was against rivals Logie Harpe but, again, the boys did not disappoint as they won both fixtures convincingly."
They can also be proud of the fact that, in the Easter holidays, they travelled to Holland to participate in a tournament there. Eventually they finished runners-up after losing on penalties in the final. No doubt they represented Dundee, and Scotland, admirably and will look forward to doing the same as their globe trotting adventures take them to Barcelona this summer.
Despite such a dominant display throughout the year Fairmuir have continued to work hard to further improve their game.
"There was a real problem at the beginning of the season with the boys starting some games very slowly which could easily have cost us," says Buchan.
Buchan is also keen to stress that Fairmuir’s accomplishments in no way rests with one or two individuals in the squad, saying: "I’m not one for singling out individuals as no individual won any trophy by themselves. It was a great team effort from the beginning of the season to the end. Every one of my players deserves a special mention. Jamie Lockhart, Blair Henderson, Nathan Johnston, Mark McCrory, Evan Adam, Jack Todd, Jay Kidd, Curtis Smythe, Ethan Samson, Logan Bonella, Keir Murray, Josh Hamilton, Jimmy Wilson, Liam Clark, Jocky Stewart and Jay Coupar. Well done lads."
So what does next year hold for this impressive group?
"Next season will be no different from this season," said Buchan. "The boys have a target of winning the treble again along with a better push in the Scottish Cup."
No doubt after the progress and the attitude they have displayed this season Fairmuir boys 2002s will most certainly be one of the teams to watch again - not just locally but throughout Scotland.
To go through a league campaign unbeaten is truly the sign of an extraordinary team, and Ferry Yellows 99s proved their quality as they captured the Maryfield League with a remarkable invincible record.
Manager Graham Bell spoke to Youth Football Scotland and provided some insight into Ferry Yellows excellent season. "For a team to go the entire season without dropping a point and only conceding nine goals is an outstanding achievement. The team has quality throughout", he said.
Bell also added however that he was "dissapointed to go out of the Scottish Cup and Queen's Jubilee Cup so early".
When asked which games he found to be the most pivotal in the league triumph, the Ferry Yellows manager replied "There were two games that I felt were decisive in our league win, both against Dryburgh, who we always have good competitive games against", Ferry Yellows proved victorious with a 5­-1 victory on both occasions.
Bell pointed to two key qualities which drove the team towards the league title: "A close team spirit and desire to win, it keeps you turning up to training and learning".
Two of the key figures in the champions side this season were goalkeeper, Callum Langdale, who his manager described as an "excellent shot stopper", and top scorer Kyle Anderson, who contributed towards the cause with an impressive 50 goals this campaign.
Bell is hoping for further success next season, with cup success.
"Next season we want to go on and win the league again, and make up for the Scottish Cup dissapointment of last season", he said.
Congratulations to Ferry Yellows 99, 2014/15 Maryfield League champions!
Arbroath Community Sports Club under-14s won the Dundee and District YFA Watson McInally League after a superb unbeaten campaign. They finished eight points clear of second-placed Lochside, winning 14 and drawing four matches to wrap up the title.
They also won the League Cup and coach Stuart Donaldson was delighted with the team's effort.
"It's my first year in charge of this group of boys, and what a fantastic year it has been. The key to our success for me has been purely down to hard work and determination both in games and at training as well. That mixed with the talented group of young lads we have had been vital throughout the season," Donaldson told Youth Football Scotland.
"The boys have been faultless in terms of effort levels and there hard work has payed off massively in an undefeated league campaign resulting in our league trophy and our cup success completing a double trophy win in our first year together. The boys really do deserve all the success that has come there way this year and I can be more proud to call them my football squad."
Congratulations to ACSC under-14s, 2014-2015 DDYFA Watson McInally League champions!
St Johnstone under-20s have gone the extra mile with an outrageous skills video, based on the Soccer AM bin videos that have taken the professional and youth football world by storm over the last 12 months.
Forfar Athletic have announced that five of their development squad have signed professional contracts at the club.
Cameron Clark, Kerr Hay, Michael Kennedy, Jason King and James Yates have all put pen to paper after playing for the development squad on amateur contracts last season.
Hay has made three substitute appearances for the first team, scoring once, while defender Kennedy has played in four cup matches for the club.
Clark, King and Yates are yet to make an appearance for the Forfar first team.
The Forfar Athletic development squad won the SPFL Development League East by eight points, seeing off competition from Cowdenbeath and Alloa Athletic.
The first team squad finished third in SPFL League One last season, and missed out on promotion to the Championship after a play-off defeat to Alloa.
It was smiles all round in Inverkeithing on Sunday as Hillfield Swifts 2006s opened their doors for an invitational festival of football to brighten up the close season.
The club played host to teams from Syngenta Juveniles, Lochend YFC and Crossford Colts, and there was plenty of fancy footwork and silky skills on display across two pitches to keep the watching fans entertained.
With the recent cancelation of the Pitreavie Festival, the occasion was a great opportunity for the players to dust off their boots and for the supporters to stretch their vocal chords in preparation for the season ahead.
Event organiser Jamie Kinnear said it was definitely something the club would look to turn into an annual event.
"It’s great for the boys to get a chance to play in the close season and to keep them engaged with football through the summer, we’ll see how today goes but it’s definitely something we would like to continue," he told Youth Football Scotland.
Even the rain held off until after the medals had been handed out; and judging by the smiles on the faces of those leaving on Sunday, it certainly looks like Inverkeithing will be the place to be during next year’s festival season!
Dundee United are delighted to announce that Graham Taylor (17), Jordan Hornby (17) and Logan Davie (16) have signed professional contracts with the Club.
The trio all step up from the Terrors’ Academy. Graham and Logan joined seven years ago and attended the St John’s School Project. Jordan joined for a second spell at Under 15 level.
Graham, originally part of the Stirling Coaching Centre, showed great commitment by leaving home every day at 6am to attend St John’s, most days not arriving home until 7pm. This commitment and attitude is mirrored on the park. Graham is an attacking midfielder who enjoys playing central but will also play in wider area when asked. The full time environment will allow Graham to improve his physicality through the strength and conditioning program all development squad players undergo. Dribbling at opponents and acceleration are his strong points.
Jordan returned to the United set up a more confident player and prefers either left back or left midfield. His main assets currently are his vision and passing ability. He also possesses a terrific strike. The full time environment will allow Jordan to improve his general understanding of the game and improve his positional sense. He will give greater balance to the Development Squad as he is a natural left sided player.
Logan is an athletic player who currently plays as a deep sitting midfielder and links the play from defence to attack. In recent fitness tests, Logan was the fittest in his age group and this is shown by his endeavour to work across the pitch to win possession back. Logan is comfortable all through the midfield positions and also at right back. The full time environment will see Logan improve upper body strength and increase his positional understanding.
All three will join the Development Squad under Steve Campbell and Dave Bowman’s guidance upon return to pre season.
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Blue Brazil 2001s are celebrating a league and cup double after dominating Fife football in the under-14 age group this season.
Dropping just two points over the course of their Fife FDL Division 1 campaign is a remarkable achievement from a group of players that keep going from strength to strength.
They also won the Fife Cup with a 5-0 victory over Lochgelly Albert Colts, and progressed to the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup, losing out to Edinburgh club Tynecastle FC.
Blue Brazil finished the season 20 points ahead of nearest rivals Glenrothes Athletic and two victories over them were the key matches in bringing the league trophy back to Venters Park.
"The ones that stick out were the two games against Glenrothes Athletic who were our closest challengers. Both games came within a fortnight. 1-0 and 2-0 victories were important as we closed out the title," John Mitchell, Blue Brazil coach, told Youth Football Scotland.
Blue Brazil has a small squad, and Mitchell has needed to call on every one of them to play their part.
"We have learned that it’s not about 11 players but about all 15 players. All players in the squad had a bearing on us winning the League and all contributed. We also understand that we must stick together, work hard and most importantly, enjoy," Mitchell said.
Blue Brazil pride themselves on developing players and four players have been with the club since the age of five.
"I'm particularly happy for Jay Watson, Jake Mitchell, Dean Nicoll and Lewis Morgan. These lads have been with the Blue Brazil for nine years and have come through the whole system with the Club," Mitchell said.
Onto next season then, and the battle will be on to retain their title.
"Beyond this season we look to next year and hopefully continue the boys’ development as players. We would like to try and retain our League title and anything else would be a bonus," Mitchell said.
The Association of Fife Youth Football Clubs has confirmed that a brand new Under 21 league will run next season. Dundonald Bluebell, Aberdour, Rosyth FC, Kelty Hearts, Jeanfield Swifts and Kennoway Star Hearts have already confirmed their places, with others set to follow suit.
Matches will take place at Sundays. Kick off will be 2pm. MKM Building Supplies of Kirkcaldy have been confirmed as the league sponsor.
The Association of Fife Youth Football Clubs has invited expressions of interest, as they look to generate enough teams to run an Under 21 league next season.
Glenrothes High School have won the Fife Schools Cup after beating Kirkcaldy High School 5-1 at Central Park, Cowdenbeath.
The team included a host of players playing in the Fife Football Development League for teams including Glenrothes Strollers, Rothes Juniors, Blue Brazil, Balgonie Scotia and Lochgelly Albert Colts.
Brechin lost out to Fairmuir in atrocious conditions and in a match of chances taken by Fairmuir and missed by Brechin.
The early pressure came from Brechin with good linking play in the midfield area eventually sending Dawson on a winding run down the right flank ending with a driving shot into the side netting.
Play ranged from end to end as Fairmuir drove straight back up to the Brechin end and a fierce shot ranged just over the bar.
Within minutes Brechin pressed another attack - Somerville linking with Dawson and up to Irvine who chased down the right and crossed to Booth whose long range shot was tipped over by the Fairmuir keeper. Anderson floated over a perfect corner which was met by Duncan whose header was just wide of the target.
Minutes later Anderson who appeared to be everywhere on the pitch and was playing a superb game drove a twenty yard shot through a crowd of players only to see it , again, slip by the near post.
Brechin applied further pressure winning yet another corner. Anderson again flighted in a superb ball which was met by Irvine who saw his shot slip, yet again, agonisingly by the post.
The resulting goal kick was driven up the Fairmuir right flank where the winger cut inside the Brechin defender before driving in a low cross across goal which was not dealt with and subsequently driven home for Fairmuir's first goal.
Five minutes later Fairmuir extended their lead. After winning a corner on the right the cross was met, undefended, to leave a free header into the net.
The second half started as the first, at a frantic pace from both sides, and saw strong pressure from Fairmuir.
Ten minutes later, Fairmuir won another corner which again was unchallenged and a free header saw Fairmuir extend their lead yet again.
Once again the main issue Brechin suffered was their inability to take their chances after playing a solid game.
Notable performance of the day came from Robbie Anderson who worked tirelessly both in midfield and in in attack.