IT sold out without hours of going on sale.

IT sold out without hours of going on sale.

Scores of schoolchildren took part in the Hibernian Easter Training Camp at Yarrow Park in Selkirk last week.

And, it was such a success, it is now hoped it could become a regular occurance.

Selkirk assistant coach Paul Doig, who also works as community coach for the SPFL side, told the Border Telegraph: “It has been a fantastic week, we’ve had great numbers. Folk keep telling me its rugby country here in Selkirk, but there are certainly a lot of good footballers down this way. The standard is very high, and there is a passion here for football. Kids just need that encouragement. Hopefully, sessions like this can become a regular feature in the calendar now.” Owing to the popularity of this week’s camp, discussions are already at an advanced stage to hold a similar event as early as this summer.

“We would like to be back by then,” Doig confirmed. “We need to discuss it after the Easter break, but that is the plan. It seems a natural partnership, and it’s a relationship we are keen to develop.

“The links we’ve already got with Selkirk with Bobby Johnstone (of the Famous Five) and myself, being assistant manager, are something we should capitalise on.” This week’s training camp involved youngsters between the age of four to 15.

Dylan Dickie, aged 11, from Selkirk, would be glad to see the camp return in the summer. “I would definitely come back,” he said. “I have been to coaching sessions here before (with Selkirk), but this was different. Working with the Hibs coaches was great.” Sam Smith, 11 from Tweedbank, said: “I have learned some new skills, made new friends and we’ve had great weather too.” “I think it is very important to show Borderers they haven’t been forgotten,” said Doig. “Yes, you’ve got Newcastle and maybe Berwick, but a lot of the folk I know down here, if they’re not Rangers or Celtic supporters, Hibernian seems to be one of the next teams to follow. So it makes perfect sense to come down and put our camp on here. In the past, it has been a case you come up to us at East Main in the training ground just outside Tranent, or up in Edinburgh - or you don’t see us at all.

“Our approach should be: If there is any location across the country where there are talented kids, or even kids who just have a soft spot for Hibernian, let’s take the camp to them.”