STIRLING footballer Lewis Brown admits he was on cloud nine after receiving a Bank of Scotland Midnight League Player of the Year award from Scotland international Steven Whittaker.

The award is the culmination of this year’s Bank of Scotland Midnight League, which is a network of five-a-side football games targeting 12 to 16 year olds that has been running since January in communities across all 32 local authorities in the country.

Run in partnership with the Scottish FA, and supported by the Scottish Government’s Cash Back for Communities programme, local council or trust funding, the Bank of Scotland Midnight League programme has expanded over the last 14 years with more than 7,000 young people participating across 100 communities each year.

The Scottish FA also introduced a community captains initiative to the programme this year with each team nominating a team leader who had more responsibility, including organising their squad’s attendance, encouraging good behaviours and promoting the sessions.

And after making a positive impact with his skills and commitment, Brown was chosen as one of just 24 players nationwide to be invited to Hampden Park on Saturday to receive their award and some valuable advice from former Rangers and Hibernian star Whittaker.

The 16-year-old was also treated to a training session at Lower Hampden, home of Queen’s Park FC, by a Scottish FA coach before watching the national side draw 1-1 with Lithuania in their World Cup qualifier.

Wallace High School pupil Brown said: “I’ve really enjoyed today, it’s been a great experience. I wasn’t planning to do anything but to come out here and do this has been very enjoyable.

“This is my first time being here, I’ve been excited for a few days now. Steven taught me a lot, a lot of questions I’ve wanted to know myself have been answered, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

“I’ve really enjoyed Midnight League, it’s a good few months of football even if it was cold and wet I was with my friends playing football which was great.”

Norwich City defender Whittaker was in attendance to not only present the medals but also took part in a question and answer session and offered advice to the young footballers.

Impressed with the talent on show, he believes the Bank of Scotland Midnight League programme is vital for helping to develop the next generation of players.

“It is a privilege to have been invited to support the Bank of Scotland Midnight League Player of the Year and celebrate 24 special players nominated for their commitment to this fantastic programme,” he said

“It was an honour to meet all the young male and female footballers and I hope that they can keep up all the good work and continue to enjoy their football.”

Bank of Scotland Midnight League is a free national network of diversionary 5-a-side football activity, targeting male and females between 12 to 16 year olds across the country.