A FOOTBALL team from Alloa have brought victory to Scotland by winning the Home Internationals football tournament.

The Alloa 5ives initially beat a number of competitors in Scotland before representing their nation at the Home Internationals tournament against young people from England and Wales.

In a thrilling final at the City Football Academy in Manchester on Sunday, July 31 the Alloa 5ives won 3-1 against the Airedale 5ives who represented England.

The Home Internationals is a highlight of the Game On sporting programme offered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

It sees teams from former coalfield communities across Scotland, England and Wales meet for regular football sessions, these teams then compete for the right to represent their nation at the tournament in Manchester.

The young people had a full weekend of aspirational activities, staying at Keele University’s campus to get an experience of student life before spending a day at an outdoor activity centre to develop their team building and resilience skills.

Also on the day of the final the participants enjoyed a tour of Manchester City’s Ethiad Stadium before the tournament at the City Football Academy.

Nicky Wilson, vice chair of Trustees of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “The Alloa 5ives played some fantastic football and I was delighted to see them bring the Home Internationals shield back to Scotland for another year.

“The Home Internationals is such a rewarding event, we see the huge difference it makes to improving the lives of young people in former coalfield communities and I’d encourage any young people to check it out and see if they could give Scotland another victory in 2023.”

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was established in 1999 in response to recommendations made by the government’s Coalfields Task Force.

It was set up as an independent charity with a focus to support the former coalfield communities and create opportunities for their people.

In recent years the trust has supported Wee County ventures such as Alloa Saints FC and the Clackmannan Bowling Club, as well as launching the Game On Girls initiative to support girls in football.

Visit coalfields-regen.org.uk/ for more information.