Latest news with #CaledonianBraves
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Caledonian Braves celebrate FENIX Trophy win in Italian sunshine
The Motherwell outfit were on top form in picturesque Lake Iseo Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell says winning the FENIX Trophy has brought the club together over a magical weekend in Italy. The Motherwell club were stationed at Lake Iseo for the finals, beating Belgian side Bechem Sport 3-0 in their semi-final, before dispatching two-time winners FC United of Manchester in the final 3-1. Greig Stewart and Ross McNeil netted in the semi-finals, with the Belgians scoring an own-goal, and McNeil scored in the final, alongside Connor McLaren and Cameron Breadner. McLaren holds the distinction of scoring Braves' first-ever European final goal. The FENIX Trophy (Friendly, European, Non-professional, Innovative and Xenial) was set up four years ago, and Waddell says they enjoyed the whole experience. He said: 'It's a tournament that's designed to bring clubs together from our level, at semi-pro level, from around the world. 'The early teams we played against weren't particularly much of a challenge, but when we got to the finals it was four good teams in it. It was honestly fantastic, a really good team bonder as well, and the fact that we won it was great. 'What was really special is that my family was there, a lot of the players' had their families, wives, girlfriends, and whatnot, and it was really special to have everybody away. 'We're already a tight-knit group with a really good team spirit, but that just topped it off. But it was absolutely brilliant to get away and see everybody together and happy, and winning the tournament was an important thing as well.' Waddell added: 'The tournament is growing in size every year with better clubs getting involved in it. 'The Belgian team we played in the semi-finals, I got a look at a couple of their games, they get a decent crowd at home. They're an old-fashioned team that were at the top level 30-40 years ago, then hit hard times financially, but they kept a lot of their crowds. 'FC United are a different type of model, and they don't want to support Man Utd in their current form and ownership, but they were your classic strong, physical English team, with a couple of wide players. 'They were fancying themselves, and I think they thought they could beat us without too much concern, but we were brilliant on the day. 'Manchester were decent, and I spoke to quit a few of them after, when they were very complimentary which was cool. 'This shows how far we've come this season, finishing third, winning the FENIX and just trying to progress the club in every way.' On their location, Waddell said: 'The word 'stunning' doesn't do it justice. It's a classic little Italian town, quite quiet, on Lake Iseo, along the road from Lake Garda, which is a bit more popular. It was beautiful, so it was the perfect weekend for us.' Braves end their season on Friday with the Southern Counties Cup final against Gretna 2008 at Raydale Park, and Waddell wants to retain their trophy. He said: 'We want to do well in it. Gretna have had an OK season, they might look on it as a success, they weren't involved in the relegation scrap too much at the end of the season. 'But it's a cup final, they will be geared up for it, and I think if we can play to our potential, and get players back fit, then we want to retain that trophy.'
Glasgow Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Caledonian Braves won European Trophy in next step for club
Founder Chris Ewing, 46, spoke to the Glasgow Times about what it means for them to win the Fenix Trophy. He said: 'This one is very special because it's a European one. It's a UEFA and Italian-sanctioned tournament, it's an official tournament, and we won it. 'I think any club face for Scotland winning anything in Europe is a great achievement - we'll take it. 'I think we might be the first Scottish club to beat an English side in a European final ever!' Caledonian Braves win European Trophy in 'next step' for club (Image: Adam Smith/Hunter Visuals Media) The Braves were set up in 2019 by Chris and are 'Scotland's youngest senior club'. The club is owned by a collective of investors from around the world. Chris explained: "We've got almost 9,000 owners from 64 different countries, we've created a community around the club. 'We've got NBA players in there, NFL executives, musicians, artists and an Oscar-winning actress all in the ownership group." READ NEXT: Green Brigade announce Glasgow march before Celtic Scottish Cup final Chris, originally from Pollok, says he's a 'proud Scotsman, living in Paris' where he's lived since 2004. He said: 'I may live in Paris, but you'll have to look a long way to find a prouder Scotsman than me. 'I've never loved Glasgow as much as in the morning when I need to leave, you know." He said he 'moved there with £40 in his pocket and never left, having only intended to go for a week'. Founder of Caledonian Braves, Chris Ewing, with the trophy (Image: Adam Smith/Hunter Visuals Media) Chris recognises the challenge of being a new club in the central belt: "The biggest challenge obviously is if you're going to set up a brand new football club anywhere in Scotland, but particularly in the west of Scotland across the central belt, you're always going to be struggling because you have about 80% of folk are already Celtic or Rangers fans and the other 20% are fans of other clubs." "But the good thing about our club is that it doesn't need to be restricted to a local community. It could be anyone that shares the same kind of hopes, dreams, aspirations, and values; you don't have to be restricted to a geography necessarily." The Braves are ambitious and hope to compete with the likes of Rangers and Celtic in the Premiership within the next 10 years. READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson seen buying new Rangers kit in club shop Chris spoke about the goal of playing in the top flight: "You have to give something that's tangible, and that's the obvious one is playing in the Premier League. 'I think every single club that's part of the pyramid should hope to play or at least aim there, otherwise what's the point really. "It's very difficult, though, when you look at the SPFL and how difficult it is to actually win promotion, I don't know many other UEFA nations where the Champion club doesn't get automatic promotion. The Caledonian Braves celebrated with Saltire flags (Image: Adam Smith/Hunter Visuals Media) "I think some people would quite like to see us fail as well, but that only adds to the desire to prove them wrong. "Where this tournament and winning the tournament takes us, I think, will be huge – the next step towards that goal. 'Because we have a really young squad. It's a great experience for them to travel, these are all great memories, great team bonding and camaraderie, and players grow through that." Some American co-owners of the team travelled to Scotland for a few games this season, and Chris hopes to see this become a regular thing for them. He said they 'enjoyed their trip across the pond' and were 'very taken' by Glasgow, especially enjoying a Blue Lagoon with him in the early hours. The Braves—with their superstar co-owners, up-and-coming status, and plucky ambitions—could be seen as Scotland's answer to Wrexham FC. Chris laughed at the comparison and joked: 'Well, I'm no Ryan Reynolds, that's for sure.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caledonian Braves European trophy win is ‘next step towards challenging Old Firm'
CALEDONIAN Braves FC won a landmark European trophy at the weekend in Italy, seeing off a team from Manchester to win the final. As the whistle blew, the team and staff rushed onto the pitch in Lake Iseo, in the north of the country, brandishing two Saltire flags. The club's founder hopes it's a sign of things to come. Founder Chris Ewing, 46, spoke to the Glasgow Times about what it means for them to win the Fenix Trophy. He said: 'This one is very special because it's a European one. It's a UEFA and Italian-sanctioned tournament, it's an official tournament, and we won it. 'I think any club face for Scotland winning anything in Europe is a great achievement - we'll take it. 'I think we might be the first Scottish club to beat an English side in a European final ever!' Caledonian Braves win European Trophy in 'next step' for club (Image: Adam Smith/Hunter Visuals Media) The Braves were set up in 2019 by Chris and are 'Scotland's youngest senior club'. The club is owned by a collective of investors from around the world. Chris explained: "We've got almost 9,000 owners from 64 different countries, we've created a community around the club. 'We've got NBA players in there, NFL executives, musicians, artists and an Oscar-winning actress all in the ownership group." READ NEXT: Green Brigade announce Glasgow march before Celtic Scottish Cup final Chris, originally from Pollok, says he's a 'proud Scotsman, living in Paris' where he's lived since 2004. He said: 'I may live in Paris, but you'll have to look a long way to find a prouder Scotsman than me. 'I've never loved Glasgow as much as in the morning when I need to leave, you know." He said he 'moved there with £40 in his pocket and never left, having only intended to go for a week'. Founder of Caledonian Braves, Chris Ewing, with the trophy (Image: Adam Smith/Hunter Visuals Media) Chris recognises the challenge of being a new club in the central belt: "The biggest challenge obviously is if you're going to set up a brand new football club anywhere in Scotland, but particularly in the west of Scotland across the central belt, you're always going to be struggling because you have about 80% of folk are already Celtic or Rangers fans and the other 20% are fans of other clubs." "But the good thing about our club is that it doesn't need to be restricted to a local community. It could be anyone that shares the same kind of hopes, dreams, aspirations, and values; you don't have to be restricted to a geography necessarily." The Braves are ambitious and hope to compete with the likes of Rangers and Celtic in the Premiership within the next 10 years. READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson seen buying new Rangers kit in club shop Chris spoke about the goal of playing in the top flight: "You have to give something that's tangible, and that's the obvious one is playing in the Premier League. 'I think every single club that's part of the pyramid should hope to play or at least aim there, otherwise what's the point really. "It's very difficult, though, when you look at the SPFL and how difficult it is to actually win promotion, I don't know many other UEFA nations where the Champion club doesn't get automatic promotion. The Caledonian Braves celebrated with Saltire flags (Image: Adam Smith/Hunter Visuals Media) "I think some people would quite like to see us fail as well, but that only adds to the desire to prove them wrong. "Where this tournament and winning the tournament takes us, I think, will be huge – the next step towards that goal. 'Because we have a really young squad. It's a great experience for them to travel, these are all great memories, great team bonding and camaraderie, and players grow through that." Some American co-owners of the team travelled to Scotland for a few games this season, and Chris hopes to see this become a regular thing for them. He said they 'enjoyed their trip across the pond' and were 'very taken' by Glasgow, especially enjoying a Blue Lagoon with him in the early hours. The Braves—with their superstar co-owners, up-and-coming status, and plucky ambitions—could be seen as Scotland's answer to Wrexham FC. Chris laughed at the comparison and joked: 'Well, I'm no Ryan Reynolds, that's for sure. "But seeing what they've been doing recently, does that give you a bit of hope."
