Last Sunday saw the finale of the first 5-a-side Over 35’s football tournament ‘The Garioch Cup’ in the North Region.

The tournament in partnership with the Inverurie Loco Works FC, Garioch Sports Centre, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Scottish FA and GPH Builders Merchants saw over 90 participants take part over the six weeks, with nine teams competing overall.

Within a nine team league table each team completed 16 League fixtures throughout the six weeks. On the final night held at the Garioch Sports centre the League table was split into two sections – the Cup Section (Top 4) and the Shield Section (Bottom 5) and from then a quick fire knockout stage took place.

In a pulsating final in the cup section, the Wizards of Skene were crowned champions of the Garioch Cup. The Wizards of Skene captained by Steven Petrie won a hospitality day at an Inverurie Loco Works FC home match worth over £750, sponsored by GPH Builders Merchants.

In the Shield Section, Garioch United romped home in a closely fought final and won 10 tickets to an Aberdeen FC match. The event will hopefully now run annually after such a successful six weeks.

Stephen Boddie, AFCCT Community Coach (Inverurie) said: ‘The Garioch Cup has been fantastic from start to finish. To see so many adults over the age of 35 years old taking part again in organised football is tremendous. This is the first time Over 35’s football has kicked off in the North Region and there are plans in place to see this increase in the near future in both Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City. Finally, I would like to thank all the volunteers, players, referee’s and partners for their contribution, as without them the Garioch Cup would not have been possible.’