Two Glasgow construction apprentices swapped their steel toe caps for football studs and helped their football team towards victory.

Paul Sweeney and Jason Elliott work for Glasgow City Council’s arms-length construction company City Building.

Their team Ashfield FC triumphed in the Evening Times Winners Cup on June 14, a tournament that features the winners of the ten West Region competitions in the preceding season.

Ashfield FC won 1-0 in a hotly contested match against Irvine Meadow.

Paul and Jason, both 19, were selected for the team by Stevie Rankin, City Building’s electrical manager and Ashfield Juniors manager, after their strong performance during City Building’s Commonwealth Cup Tournament last year.


Paul is currently in the 4th year of a joinery apprenticeship with City Building, while Jason is in the 2nd year of his plumbing apprenticeship.

Mr Rankin said: "Paul and Jason are both very talented apprentices and football players with a bright future ahead of them. They did Ashfield FC proud in the Evening Times Winners Cup and I look forward to seeing them continue to shine in our upcoming games."

A recent recipient of the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development, City Building trains more than 450 apprentices each year with skills such as painting and decorating, joinery, plumbing, electrical, roofing and construction operations.

Paul Carey, chairman of the company, said: "This is a great achievement for Paul, Jason and their Ashfield FC teammates."

(NE)