SHETLAND’S football team will for the first time ever compete in the Highland League Challenge Cup, this summer.

The Shetland Football Association got word this week that they could enter the competition, after a long in the offing bid to do so.

One condition set by the Scottish Amateur Football Association is that the team has to play all their matches on the Scottish mainland.

There are 17 teams in the Challenge Cup with one preliminary knock out match being played on 2 August, between two competitors drawn at random, to leave 16 teams kicking off the first round on 9 August.

SFA Magnus Flaws chairman said: “Everything is clear now for us to go ahead. We are very happy about it as it brings the Shetland team to a higher level and hopefully we will perform well.

“All the teams in the Highland League are good teams, so it will be a hard fight.”

Highland team Deveronvale FC will come to the isles to play the Shetland side in a one off match on 21 June which will act as a warm up to the main competition.

Shetland will find out whether they have to play in the preliminary match or who they are up against in the first round later today (Friday).

Team coach John Johnson said: “Playing at a higher level is always good for the boys, to try and prove themselves. It will be something to look forward to.”

Reproduced with permission. All content Copyright © 2003-2008 Shetland News Agency