After four years Vale of Leven's Football Academy is thriving on and off the park

Four years after launching their academy, the future looks brighter - and younger - than ever at the Vale Juniors.

With more than 200 kids pulling on the blue and red every week, a host of youngsters already making their mark on Brian Brown’s first team - and a passionate band of ultras now cheering on the club, the Alexandria side are going from strength-to-strength.

Vale of Leven Football Academy chief Alex Lacy, who has been involved with the club for almost 30 years as player and coach, says seeing the smiles on the faces of kids has made it all worthwhile.

Alex helped launch the Vale’s academy in 2020, just as the country was plunged into lockdown.

A tie-up between the historic Millburn side, who entered senior football that season, and local club FC Argyle saw all of FC Argyle’s teams take on the Vale of Leven name, whilst Dumbarton Riverside’s 2004s will also become connected to the club.

Since then things have grown even further - with a pathway now in place for tots taking their first steps in the game to first team football in the West of Scotland League.

Proud Alex, who made over 500 appearances for the club across two decades of service, said: “We’ve now got 20 academy teams, nine age groups and over 250 kids.

“It was our centenary year last year and a lot of people bought the kids, so you see them kicking about the Vale.

“Everything we do is for the kids. If you don’t go then the kids don’t go. If there’s no football then they are stuck in the house, or end up walking the streets. Football gives them a purpose.

“We do it to make a difference. And we are making a difference.

“Seeing the smiles on their faces and getting a wee bit of banter with them is great. You might be soaked to your skin, but when you see