On Tuesday 2nd June AFC Community Trust in partnership with the Scottish FA hosted the Bank of Scotland North Regional Finals at Spain Park, Banks O’Dee.  Over 100 players were in attendance on the night with teams representing Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray as well as two teams travelling from Dingwall to represent the Highlands.

The format for the event was two 5-a-side sections with 6 junior teams from first and second year and a senior section with 8 teams with pupils from 3rd-5th years taking part. This resulted in 33 fixtures being played across four pitches which were refereed and supervised by Bank of Scotland staff who volunteered to help on the night.

Both sections were extremely competitive and close fought but in the end Old Machar Academy from Aberdeen came out on top in the junior section final defeating Fraserburgh on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Two Aberdeen teams contested the Senior section Final with Hazlehead Academy from Aberdeen just edging out Old Machar Academy 1-0 in an entertaining game.

Max Reid from the Old Machar Junior team said: “I really enjoyed the whole tournament because I could have fun and play with my friends without my parents being there. The finals night was really good and we were all buzzing when we won our final on penalties.”

After the Finals were played the youngsters in attendance were treated to a special appearance from the F2 Freestylers Billy Wingrove and Jeremy Lynch. The pair had just finished filming with Real Madrid stars Gareth Bale and Marcelo as part of the build up to the 2015 Champions League Final. The double act left the youngsters and families watching both baffled and amazed with a stunning synchronized display of football mastery.

Senior Bank of Scotland staff members and Dons legend Willie Miller rounded off the evening by presenting medals to the winners and runners-up as well as the player of the tournament awards which were awarded to Lewis Duncan from Fraserburgh in the junior section and Lewis Masson from Hazlehead in the senior group. Amy Clark from Keith scooped the Girls Player of the Tournament.

Scottish FA Community Coach Scott Duncan said "The Midnight League has been a great success again this year and it has been great to see so many youngsters from across the North Region benefitting from this great opportunity.

“The finals night were a fantastic way to round off this year’s activity. The performance of the F2 freestylers really made this year’s event a spectacle and arguably the best finals day this region has hosted in the 12 years that Midnight League has existed.

“Special thanks must go to Bank of Scotland for their continued support, the volunteers who helped run the event and all the staff at Banks O’Dee who could not have been more accommodating allowing us to use their first class facilities on the night."