Gordon Strachan congratulates The Boys’ Brigade Scotland on becoming Guinness World Record holders for the longest five-a-side match in history

A team of football mad volunteers from The Boys’ Brigade Scotland are celebrating after officially becoming the Guinness World Record holders for the longest five-a-side football game with Gordon Strachan the first to congratulate them.

The group of 16 players, split in to two teams of eight, to smash the current Guinness World Record held by Sodexo Ireland, who managed a total of 53 hours, by two hours playing time.

They will now be recognised in the Guinness Book of Records.

Congratulating the team on their achievement, Gordon Strachan, Scotland national team manager, said: “It’s my pleasure to congratulate this group of exceptional young people on their Guinness World Record as 55 hours consistent playing is no easy task!

“As a former Boys’ Brigade member myself, I am aware of how important football is within the organisation so it’s great to see the values of fitness and determination remain strong amongst the younger generations.

As a former Boys’ Brigade member myself, I am aware of how important football is within the organisation so it’s great to see the values of fitness and determination remain strong

“Being part of The Boys’ Brigade is a great starting point, as many of Scotland’s top footballers will testify, as it teaches members great team working and leadership skills which are paramount to the success of any team.”

The group completed the challenge at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, playing non-stop between Thursday, 11 September and Sunday, 14 September 2014 but had to wait until now for official recognition.

Each team was made up of eight players who had to remain on or at the side of the pitch for the duration, sleeping only in designated rest breaks.

The event was the brain child of Cameron Gray, leader with 1st Cumbernauld Company, The Boys’ Brigade.

Cameron said: “I am delighted to have received official notification that we are now Guinness World Record holders and our success will go down in history.

“It’s incredible to have our success recognised by Gordon Strachan as he’s a real hero to us all, especially as a former BB man himself. It’s an honour to have met him.”

Bill Stevenson, director for The Boys’ Brigade in Scotland, added: “This is fantastic news for the boys’ who worked incredibly hard from start to finish on this challenge.

“I am so proud of them, to have been recognised in this way is an outstanding accomplishment.”

The teams were made up of volunteers from groups from Kirkintilloch, Cumbernauld, Torrance, Bothwell, Stewarton and Greenock.