A JUNIOR football team from the small Scottish town of Blackburn is looking to play a team... in Blackburn!

Blackburn United Under 16s are on a mini tour of the North West this weekend and have a free date on Saturday.

The West Lothian side are appealing to any local club who could fulfil the fixture after their original opponents pulled out at the last minute.

United, who play in the West Lothian Association Youth League, have a game arranged in Blackpool for Sunday so are already committed to playing in the CONTINUED PAGE 16>> FROM PAGE XX region.

Club secretary Stefano Agostini said: "We have already made travel arrangements to come down to the North West so it would be great if we could find a team to play on Saturday.

"I understand it is very short notice but if there are any teams who are available we would be very grateful. We did have a game arranged for the Saturday but our opponents pulled out last week so the lads are a bit disappointed."

Stefano is hoping a Blackburn team will answer his SOS - and then invite them south of the border for a rematch.

"It would be great if we could forge links with a team in Blackburn and they would be more than welcome to travel up to Scotland to play us.

"It makes sense that a club from Blackburn in Scotland should have links with a club from Blackburn in England."

The Scottish Blackburn, which is 20 miles outside Edinburgh, has a population of less 5000.

Any teams interested in playing should contact Stefano Agostini on 01506 203104.