SCOTLAND V ENGLAND GAME SET TO ATTRACT BUMPER CROWD

More than 750 school pupils from throughout the Highlands are on board to travel to Victoria Park, Dingwall, on Friday (30 November) to watch the Scottish Schoolboy Under 16 Victory Shield international between Scotland and England.

Admission to the game is free to attract a big crowd to cheer on the Scots against the Auld Enemy in a game that will decide who wins the Victory Shield.

Match organiser, Rod Houston, who is depute head teacher at Golspie High School, said: "Schools have responded tremendously to this prestigious match and the SSFA is delighted that so many pupils are going to attend. There is also strong interest from the wider public and there should be a really good crowd at the game.

"The Scots team enter the game as underdogs and a strong vocal support is needed to help them beat an England side that is reckoned to be the best since Michael Owen played."

A host of scouts from leading sides in Britain will also be present to run the rule over some of the best players in Britain.

Scotland drew 4-4 with Wales and beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in two away fixtures and have also beaten Switzerland in a recent home friendly. England defeated both Wales and Northern Ireland in the Victory Shield and have also beaten Spain, Holland and Germany in friendlies.

In charge of the Scottish squad is Stewart Neilson, principal teacher of physical education at Banff Academy. His squad arrive in the Highlands tomorrow (Thursday) to prepare for the game, which kicks off at 8 p.m. Fans will be accommodated in the main stand and the enclosure at the Jail end of the ground.

A minute’s silence will be observed at the start of the game in memory of Douglas Lavin, President of the SSFA and former principal teacher of physical education at Invergordon Academy, who died in June.