Over 160 young players from 38 clubs gathered at Peffermill in Edinburgh last week for the East of Scotland Soccer Development Association’s first ever 4v4 finale festival.

The ESSDA, in partnership with the Scottish FA South East Region hosted the festival to mark the end of their 4v4 season for U8 players.

All of the children played in a series of five minutes rotational games, and each received a certificate and a Scottish FA water bottle.

Event coordinator John Brock was delighted with the turn-out on the day.

He said: "Over 160 children participated in the first ever 4v4 festival and it marks the end of a great year. This is the first time that ESSDA has introduced the 4v4 programme in line the Scottish FA's long-term player development programme and it has worked out very well indeed.

“We will carry on with the programme next year and we hope to continually improve it with more teams entering for next season.”

Scottish FA Regional Manager, Mark Munro, has been delighted with ESSDA's commitment this year.

He said: "ESSDA is one of the largest small-sided games associations in the country and they are continually striving to develop their programmes. This event has been a great success and we would like to congratulate the committee and members for their commitment to the programmes.

“If we are to continue improving our game in this country it must start with players from an early age doing the right things and the right time and ESSDA are certainly achieving that."

The teams that participated in the event were;

Currie Star A, B, C and D; Salveson Maradona; Salveson Pele; Liberton United A, B and C; Beechwood; Beechwood Lions; Bonnyrigg 1 and 2, Mossend Boys Club, Loanhead 1, 2, 3 and 4, Kirkliston & Queensferry, Leith 1 and 2; Hutchie Vale 1, 2 and 3, Edinburgh City Lions, Edinburgh City Tigers, Edinburgh City Eagles, Edinburgh City Pumas, Tynecastle 1 and 2; Spartans 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Anyone interested in participating in any of ESSDA's activities should visit www.essda.co.uk