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Friday 12 Apr 2024

Levenmouth Football Tournament announced with just 50 days until Rail Link returns

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

With just 50 days to go until the Levenmouth Rail Link opens on June 2, Scotland’s Railway has teamed up with East Fife Community Football Club to create the Levenmouth Football Tournament.

As part of the celebrations of the return of the railway to Leven, East Fife Community Football Club have offered to organise and host a local football tournament with Scotland’s Railways support.

This tournament will take place at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium (Home of East Fife Football Club) in Leven on Monday 6 May between 1-3pm.

The tournament is open to any individuals born between 2009 and 2011 and teams will be created on the day.

It will be small-sided football, meaning that with every game, the players will change teams.

If there are enough entrants there will be two separate tournaments – one for girls and one for boys, otherwise it will be mixed from the outset.

Trophies on the day will be provided for the overall winners and those taking part will also receive a commemorative medal.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport said: “Our key aim in opening the Levenmouth Rail Link is to build social, economic, and education opportunities for the local community. With any new rail project comes the need to build awareness of safety in and around the railway. Using sporting events such as this to celebrate the opening is a great form of partnership working that delivers opportunities for young people to hear this type of message while enjoying themselves in a healthy, competitive way.”

Joe Mulvenna, Network Rail’s project manager for the Levenmouth Rail Link project, said: “Having this sports event in the lead up to the opening of the Levenmouth Rail Link means we can engage with members of the local community to further raise awareness among young people of the importance of rail safety while providing a sports programme that encourages physical activity, health and well-being.

“We would like to thank East Fife Community Football Club for partnering with us on this unique event.”

Antony McMinn, Head of Performance and Development for East Fife Community Football Club, said: “East Fife Community Football Club are delighted to support this inclusive tournament at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium and to continue our partnership working with Scotland’s Railway. 

“As the community gears up for the exciting opening of the new railway and looks forward to the opportunities this will create for people in our area we have been working together to spread rail safety messages throughout our club and our social media platforms.

“We thank Scotland’s Railway for their support of our organisation and look forward to an enjoyable day on 6 May.”

The Scottish Government-funded rail link will see a new six-mile double-tracked line with two stations in Leven and Cameron Bridge reconnect local people to the railway after a gap of 55 years.

For anyone interested in taking part in the football tournament, please email enquiries@efcfc.co.uk for more information and to register your interest.