The Auld Enemy Kick Off the 7's

Back in 2000 Craig Brown and Kevin Keegan were in opposing dugouts when they battled it out in the European Championship Play Off matches at Hampden Park and Wembley Stadium. Now 7 years on they teamed up to launch the 7th year of the Coca-Cola 7's at Keegan's Soccer Circus at Braehead.

The Coca-Cola 7's kicks off on Monday at Tweedbank Sports Centre in Galashiels and will come to a climax at the National Stadium, Hampden Park in the summer.

Former Scotland manager Brown is a fan of the tournament, "The Coca-Cola 7's is a great event for teens: 7-a-side football is the best way for youngsters of this age to develop their skills as they get more touches of the ball in a smaller arena and this can only benefit them in improving their ability."

"It is great that the tournament is open to boys and girls and that it covers the whole country including the isles. With over 7,000 youngsters taking part you can be guaranteed that at least one of them will go on and play at the top level in this country and possibly even go on to play at International level." added Brown.

When they battled it out all those years ago it was Keegan who came out on top but he thinks the young players are the winners of this competition, "It is a fabulous tournament for them especially with the chance of playing at top stadia and for those who make the finals at Hampden it will be an incredible experience, one they will never forget."

Also attending the launch was the captain of the first-ever winners of the boys' competition, highly rated youngster, Kevin MacDonald of Dundee FC who is being watched by a number of Premiership and SPL clubs. MacDonald walked up the famous steps at Hampden Park in 2001 to lift the Coca-Cola 7's trophy for Carnoustie High School and has since been back as part of the Dundee squad playing in the Scottish Cup Semi-Finals last season, "I remember playing in the Coca-Cola 7's as if it were yesterday, it was a really special day and one that I will always remember."

The 18 year old went on to add, "It's good to be back helping to launch the tournament as it helped me get to where I am now so it's nice to let others see what you can achieve by playing in this competition. It really inspired me to go on and play football at the highest level."

Joining MacDonald was Carnoustie and Dundee FC teammate Craig Forsyth, "It was a great day at Hampden back then and it is great being here today as it brings back loads of memories from the tournament, it is hard to think it was almost 7 years ago. I remember the training and advice we got from Billy Stark and his coaches and I went away and worked at my game and now I am involved with the first team at Dundee. My aim is to secure my place in the first team and stay there. I hope everyone playing in the Coca-Cola 7's can look at Kevin and I and see what you can achieve by coming through the tournament."

Another former winner of the event in attendance was Kim Little of Mintlaw Academy who plays for Hibs Ladies & Scotland U-17s "Winning the Coca-Cola 7's was fantastic but to do it twice was brilliant. We had a really good team and through the 7s we got to go to places like Barcelona and Porto and those were incredible experiences."

Coca-Cola 7's coaching team of Gary Mackay and Chic Charnley were also at Soccer Circus putting youngsters from Trinity High and Renfrew High through their paces as they warmed up for the start of the competition next week, Mackay commented, "The Coca-Cola 7's is a great tournament. I have been involved for a number of seasons now and it just continues to get bigger and better. It is a pleasure to help the future of the Scottish game by passing on advice and coaching the players to help improve their ability and I am really looking forward to starting the tour on Monday."

Partick Thistle Legend Chic Charnley said, "The tournament is great for young players. To play at these stadiums is an incredible experience and then to play at Hampden in the final, will be for many a once in a lifetime opportunity. There are a lot of very talented players in the tournament and it is a fantastic to be able to coach them and help them onto bigger things."

The Coca-Cola 7's is Scotland's largest Schools Football competition and is a now entering its 7th year of operation. Over the previous six years the competition has seen over 37,000 youngsters participate in over 150,000 hours of physical activity.

Note to Editors:

• 7 a-side football tournament for girls and boys, now in its 7th year of operation
• FREE to enter for all Scottish Secondary Schools
• Officially organised by the Scottish Schools Football Association & Coca-Cola in Scotland
• Schools can enter an unlimited number of teams
• Every player receives skills training by ex-professional managers/players
• 1st round played at venues throughout Scotland - over 7,000 players participating
• 2nd round played at selected SPL & SFL facilities - 1,600 players participating
• Regional Finals played at Lesser Hampden - 640 players participating
• National finals played at Hampden Park - 160 players participating
• Teachers' challenge match on Hampden Park at the Final - 36 teachers participating

'Coca-Cola' and 'Coke' are registered trade marks of The Coca-Cola Company.