Young footballers would like to say a huge thank you to staff and customers of a local supermarket for their support in the recent bag packing exercise that ensured their team would be able to take part in a tournament in Czech Republic.

The generosity of the customers at Morrisons, Gilmerton Road, helped Fernieside FC's under 17 side raise a significant amount of money, enough to fund a trip to participate in Prague's Easter Cup.

Fernieside team leader Stewart Laird said, "Taking a team abroad to play football provides a fantastic opportunity for local lads to experience different cultures and to compete against boys of a similar age from a number of different countries.

"It is also, however, very expensive to participate in foreign tournaments with clubs having to raise funds to help towards the cost of travel to and from the country, accommodation, travel to and from the tournament, entry fees for the competition and many other associated costs," said Mr Laird.

"With the help of Morrisons and its customers, the Fernieside FC under-17 team, by packing customers' shopping bags, raised enough money to ensure that they can participate in the Prague Easter Cup, as planned."

The team's coach, Jimmy Dillon, said, "We are extremely grateful to Morrisons, particularly store managers Mr McCall and Mr White for allowing the team to bag pack.

"I would also like to say how much we appreciated the customers' generosity and the many messages of support they gave to the team," said Mr Dillon.

"As a local team we are really grateful for the support of the community, and there is no doubt that without the community's continued help and support of Fernieside, we could not possibly help as many local youngsters as the club does."

• Fernieside FC's under 17 team competed in the Easter Cup in Prague, Czech Republic, between March 20 and March 23.

A report on the team's trip and performances will appear in the next edition of The Echo.