Information Bulletin
Western Isles footballers return for season finale
At the end of a successful football season, Shetland will play host to the Western Isles football team this Friday for the BP International Island Games Trophy, first won by the Western Isles team in Stornoway two years ago, who won the match 3-1.
Both teams won medals in the 2005 NatWest Island Games, with the Western Isles claiming the bronze medal and, as no-one can forget, Shetland taking gold in front of a home crowd of thousands. However, the two teams were both in different groups during the competition and never actually met during the 2005 Games.
The Western Isles also took part in the 2007 NatWest Island Games in Rhodes, where they took the bronze medal again, beating Bermuda 1-0 in the medal play-off and proving their consistency as new entrants to the Games.
As the outdoor football season draws to a close in both Shetland and the Western Isles, this will be one of the last opportunities for both teams to play, in the build up to the next NatWest Island Games in Åland in July 2009.
This Friday’s match rounds off a bold season for the Shetland County Squad that has seen them beat Orkney, Deveronvale and Fort William, with only a defeat against the reigning Highland Football League champions Cove Rangers.
President of the Shetland Football Association, Magnus Flaws commented – “It will be the last match of the season for Shetland and a good chance to test ourselves against some island competition before Åland next year. We are all looking forward to the match.”
Manager of the Western Isles Team, Angus Morrison added – “We’re expecting a challenging match - Shetland have shown themselves to compete at a high level and I think Shetland must be one of the favourites for the football competition in Åland next year. We all had a great time at the 2005 NatWest Island Games in Shetland and are looking forward to returning to Lerwick, even just for this short visit.“
The Scottish Football Partnership have provided financial assistance to the Western Isles Team towards their travel costs, as well as meeting the costs of three visiting referees who will oversee the match. Grade One referee, Chris Boyle, who refereed the men’s football final between Shetland and Guernsey in the 2005 Games, will return this weekend for the match.
The Western Isles team accommodation at The Shetland Hotel has been generously provided by Brudolff Hotels group, as part of their ongoing sponsorship of Shetland Football.
Convener of Shetland Islands Council, Sandy Cluness, who will present the trophy to the winning team and host a post-match reception for both teams, commented - “I am pleased again to welcome the Western Isles football team to Shetland and hope that plenty of people turn-out to enjoy what is certain to be an exciting game.”
The match kicks off at the Gilbertson Park on Friday evening at 6.00pm. Admission will be by programme on sale at venue entrances - £3 for adults and £1 for juniors and OAPs. Spectators are warmly invited to attend.
ENDS