IT is the biggest and best grassroots football festival in Europe.

And the growing love of the round ball ion the Borders shows no sign of slowing down.

This year’s Borders Sport and Leisure Festival of Football in Galashiels attracted no fewer than 105 teams, made up of players between six and 12-years-old.

And over the fence at the 3G Arena a further eight clubs battled it out in the four age-group Scottish Borders Junior Football Association finals.

The numbers and the quality of football wasn’t lost on Hibernian supporter and chief executive of hosts Borders Sport and Leisure, Ewan Jackson. He told us: “This event is always a fantastic day and it is brilliant to see it go from strength to strength, with around 2,500 competitors and supporters attending. “This Festival plays a key role in encouraging primary school age pupils to play football and it is always really rewarding to see so many young people enjoying the sport.” Now in its twelfth year, the Borders Sport and Leisure Football welcomes players from every corner of the Borders.

Teams from Eyemouth and Hawick face up to sides from West Linton and Lauder as the region’s celebrates the beautiful game.

In total 17 different towns and villages are represented.

Scottish FA Development Officer, Drew Kelly, was yet again delighted with the support. He said: “This year’s Festival of Football has definitely been the most successful to date.

“As well as having more teams playing than ever before, the Festival also included a girls-only and disability football section.

“With UEFA and FIFA both recognising the impact of this Festival, it has grown to become the biggest single day event in Europe to cater for all areas of grassroots football.” The clubs who took part in this year’s Festival of Football included Ancrum JFC, Chirnside JFC, Coldstream JFC, Duns JFC, Earlston JFC, Eyemouth JFC, Gala Fairydean Rovers YFC, Greenlaw JFC, Hawick YFC, Kelso JFC, Lauderdale JFC, Leithen Vale JFC, Linton Hotspur JFC, Melrose JFC, Peebles JFC, Selkirk JFC and Tweedbank JFC.

It was slightly more serious over the fence where four age-group trophies were competed for.

Greenalw defeated Hawick 3-1 in the Under 13s final to lift the Jack Gilchrist Cup.

The Hawick club did get their hands on the Bruce Scott Cup by winning the Under 14s final 3-0 over Kelso.

The Under 15s final was a thriller with Duns just edging out Hawick to win by two goals to one. Duns were presented with the Cameron Gunn Cup.

Bringing down the curtain on finals day was an epic duel between Kelso and Leithen Rovers for the Under 17s Chris Doyle Cup.

After an end-to-end match it was Kelso who emerged 3-2 winners.