Local bowling club raises £2,000 in charity football match for Alex Scougall.

Loved and adored by many, Alex Scougall's name lives on, writes Stuart Wilson.

The promising young footballer tragically died in a car crash in May last year, prompting numerous tributes and overwhelming support for his family and friends.

Everyone who knew "Scougs" was deeply moved, the boy being such a popular figure in his local Gilmerton. Many tributes were left near his home and the funeral at Mortonhall was packed full of friends and family all wishing to pay their last respects.

Gilmerton Bowling Club continued South Edinburgh's show of support recently, holding a charity football match with all proceeds being given to Alex's family.

The 11-a-side event was appropriate as Alex himself was a great lover of football, having captained Dunfermline's youth team and latterly represented East Fife.

On a freezing day at Peffermill Playing Fields, the members of the bowling club took to the field to show off their silky skills. The Gilmerton Legends, a line-up of local veteran footballers, faced their younger counterparts, The Dream Team.

The sub-zero temperature was not enough to drive away a sizeable crowd for the spectacle, nor was it enough to stop a rampant Dream Team who ended up winning the game 8-3.

The Dream Team's Mitchell grabbed himself a hat trick and, along with it, the match ball. The organisers of the events would like to thank the match officials and all those who helped out in other ways.

The event, as well as being a great spectacle, raised £2000 for Alex's family.

Alex's father, also Alex, chose to give all the money raised to Fernieside Boys Club, insisting it's what his son would have wanted.

He said, "It was such a shock to hear about how many people had attended the charity football match. I did not realise that Gilmerton could do that for one person. I am so pleased. Its so nice what they have done.

"In fact, I was overwhelmed and I insisted that the money to be given to the local boys club – Alex would have liked it that way.

"On top of that, I have looked into the possibility of erecting a bench in the park, next to the playing fields, where everyone can go and watch football, something Alex took a great deal of pleasure in doing," said Mr Scougall.

"I would like to thank each person for attending and for being so generous."

By Stuart Wilson