MEMBERS of a youth football club were handed an early Christmas present during their annual festive event in Renfrewshire.

Johnstone man Jed McCabe, who is inspiresport’s head of sales for Scotland and Northern Ireland, visited the St Conval’s 2009 team at their Santa vs Elves match at the Mossedge Village in Linwood.

He informed the players that their coaches had been working hard behind the scenes with inspiresport to organise a special trip to Manchester next spring.

The team will take part in the City Football Academy training camp from March 4 to March 6 and watch a Manchester City vs Manchester United match at the Etihad Stadium.

Jed told The Gazette: “In all my years with inspiresport, this gave me such a buzz to inform the young players who do so much for their community that thanks to their wonderful coaches, parents and guardians, they are off on a tour of a lifetime to City Academy.

“They will train in official kit with Manchester City coaches, play a match against local opposition, behind the scenes tour of the Etihad, take in Manchester City vs Manchester United derby match, plus so much more.”

The surprise trip is a well-deserved reward for the youth football team’s dedication to supporting their local community, such as making donations to Renfrewshire Foodbank.

Peter McKnight, head coach of St Conval’s 2009 team, said: “The young players are an amazing bunch who work so hard and always want to help others. 

“We have heard so much about inspiresport’s development tours to the world’s top clubs and especially the one to City Academy, so contacted Jed and he got to work on a tour for us which will also take in the Manchester derby at the Etihad. 

“To see the players faces when the surprise was revealed was absolutely amazing.”