Walking footballers make Scottish Cup debut

Saints Walking Football made their debut in the Walking Football Scotland Scottish Cup at Glasgow Green at the weekend.

The event is the largest of its kind in the world, involving 800 players in more than 83 teams from as far afield as Tain in the north and Gretna and Kirkcudbright in the south.

It was sponsored by Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, reflecting the focus in walking football on health and wellbeing. Special guests attending included Wolves and Scotland legend Jim McCalliog and Rose Reilly MBE, Scotland and Italy international.

Saints entered the over-65s category and played in a group including Townhead Strollers, Pollok FC and North Lanarkshire Council.

Craig Fabian, Saints player/organiser, said: “We didn’t make it through the group into the knockout stage, but we take the positives home: we felt comfortable in the presence of more experienced teams, we held our shape and spirit as a team, and we learned a lot about tournament football.

“It was a huge event and a great day out. We were proud to be there. We’ll come back stronger next year.”

Saints have made good progress in encouraging mixed football, so were pleased to lend out player Cindy Halliday, a fully qualified coach and past English FA Coach of the Year, to join Linlithgow Rose for the day.

Cindy said: “They were a lovely group, and very welcoming. I really enjoyed the football, and it was an excellent event. Really well organised.”

The winners of Saints group, North Lanarkshire Council, made it to the knockout final but were beaten by over-65s winners, Ayr United. Any ability, including people who have never played football before, are welcome to give walking football a try.

If you’re interested in giving it a go in Kirkcudbright, call Craig on 07493 777855 or email: saintswalkingfootball@gmail.com