THE John Thomson Football Tournament in memory of Cardenden's famous son attracted its biggest ever crowd to Moorside Park, Dundonald, and saw a great day's entertainment.

Spectators were treated to a full day o excellent weather and attractive football.

The teams were led on to the park by Methilhill Community Pipe Band before being introduced to councillors Alex Campbell, Linda Erskine and Rosemary Liewald.

Councillor Campbell gave a short speech and words of encouragement to the eight children's teams participating in this year's competition which again featured an all girls' team.

The compere for the day was the secretary of the Arthur McKenna Lochgelly Supporters Club, John McPhillips, who did an excellent job.

A minute's silence was observed in memory of Cardenden and Celtic's Prince of Goalkeepers John Thomson before Councillor Campbell proceeded to kick-off things off.

The eventual winners after defeating Kinglassie Primary School in the exciting final were Woodend Warriors who was enjoyed by the large appreciative audience.

The pipe band then led a large procession to Bowhill Centre which included former Celtic and Scotland player Tommy Boyd, MP Peter Grant, members from the Celtic Graves Society, the Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs and the Kano Foundation plus awards were also presented by Councillors Erskine and Liewald.

Also in attendance were members of Celtic Supporters Clubs from Lochgelly and Methil and Cardenden's John Thomson Supporters Club, who all participated in this year's presentation and also acted as judges during the tournament at Moorside.

Every child who participated in this year's tournament was also presented with a memento of the occasion.

Tommy Boyd gave a short speech during which he praised the John Thomson Memorial Committee for all their hard work on the day and continued by saying he was impressed with the standard of football played on the park and encouraged the children to train hard and enhance their skills.

in a comprehensive vote of thanks Alex Burns thanked his daughter Amanda and grand-daughter Kayleigh Jane for the floral arrangements John Thomson's grave and the Bowhill Pit Disaster Memorial.