Old Firm duo in Thurso to pass on expertise to football stars of the future
The footballing stars of tomorrow got their chance to learn a few tips from a couple of Old Firm veterans.
The Charlie Miller Football Academy and SD13 Sports – run by ex-Rangers midfielder Charlie Miller and former Celtic winger Simon Donnelly respectively – teamed up with Thurso Football Academy to run a coaching event at Thurso's Mount Pleasant Primary School.
Demand for places on the course for kids aged five to 15 was so high that the event, sponsored by Robbie Fraser and Scott Youngson, sold out with 12 hours of being launched.
Both the organisations run by Miller and Donnelly operate out of the Toryglen training centre in Glasgow – across the road from Hampden Park – and over the years they have produced numerous players who have gone through the ranks and into SPFL youth level sides.
During the sessions there was some great local talent on show with Daniel Laverty, Bella Swanson, Liam Gunn and Matthew Reid all picking up player of the camp awards for their age levels.
Event organiser Alyn Gunn, of Thurso Football Academy, said: "This was a fantastic opportunity for the children in Caithness. We have had Charlie up a few times over the years, latterly for his book launch, so he knows the area and the children well.
"It's also great to have Simon on board. To have two former professionals coming up this far north is one thing but to have a couple of ex-Old Firm players coming up is massive when you consider what the guys have won and achieved in their careers.
"I'd like to put on record my thanks to the sponsors and parents of the children who booked their places as without them, this event would not happen.
"I would also like to thank Richie Campbell of Thurso Football Academy, Derek Shearer of East End FC and Paul Reid of Thurso United FC for their continued help and support with this event."
