Trio face Scottish Junior Cup ties

Sep 3 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

ONLY three West Lothian clubs were involved in the draw for the first round of the Scottish Junior Cup this week.

Harthill will take on Camelon Juniors, Livingston United face a trip to Stonehaven and Whitburn are away to Greenock.

The rest of the West Lothian teams will enter the draw for the second round after the ties are played on October 3.

The draw was made at the Scottish Football Museum in Hampden where Emirates, the award-winning international airline, was unveiled as the sponsor of the Scottish Junior Cup.

The global sports supporter has signed a two-year deal with the Scottish Junior Football Association to sponsor the tournament which held its first final over 120 years ago back in 1887.

The Junior Cup brings local communities throughout Scotland together as 160 Junior Clubs across the country attempt to win the famous trophy with Ayrshire-based Auchinleck Talbot the current holders of the trophy after winning the 2008/9 tournament.

Laurie Berryman, Emirates’ Area Manager UK North, said, “We are very excited about this affiliation with the Scottish Junior Cup and this new sponsorship reaffirms Emirates’ commitment to operating in Scotland since we first started a daily Glasgow-Dubai service in 2004.

“We hope that the agreement will offer long term sustainability to this historic tournament which provides a much-needed platform for grassroots football in Scotland to flourish.”

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Tom Johnston, Secretary of the Scottish Junior Football Association, said: “We are delighted Emirates has agreed a sponsorship deal which will allow us to build on what is recognised as one of the best known football competitions in the country.

“To be associated with an international brand such as Emirates is a tremendous boost to our game and its involvement is greatly appreciated.”