Young footballers take on uphill struggle to raise funds for new team in Innerleithen
Football managers, not being averse to the occasional cliche, often talk of having a mountain to climb if, say, their team go in at half-time 5-0 down or after having two or three players sent off – or, worse still, both.
Leithen Vale Sports Club’s P7 squad have come closer to most to having an actual mountain to climb, though, having staged a sponsored walk up a hill.
The hill in question was 500m-tall Lee Pen, north of their home-town of Innerleithen, and once at the top, they even managed to fit in a bit of football practice using a mini-goal carried up by their coaches.
They took on that uphill struggle to help cover the cost of setting up what’s said to be the Victoria Park club’s first 11-a-side team at under-13 level for a generation, and the crowdfunding appeal they launched has already passed its initial £500 target.
They’ll play in a south-east region league against teams from Edinburgh and the Lothians as there isn’t a Borders league for players their age.
Money raised will go towards paying for referees, home and away strips, hiring pitches and travel.
Donations can be made online at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LVSC2010s