St Cuthbert Wanderers Football Club in Kirkcudbright hosted Stranraer FC this week in Saints Walking Football’s very first fixture against another club.
Each club fielded two teams and a mini-league was played out in glorious sunshine. Top-flight referee Andy Halliday MBE officiated over four matches, which were played under full Scottish Walking Football rules. It was very much a family-friendly day as Andy’s wife, Cindy a fully qualified coach, carried out a group warm-up session for all four teams before the big kick-off.
Games were competitive, but played in a spirit of friendship and fun. Saints took first and last positions in the final points tally, and Stranraer’s teams came in second and third. As always in walking football, though, the results were less important than the joy of playing and good banter, which continued over sandwiches and hot drinks after the game.
Gary Small from Stranraer commented, “It was a great day with great guys. We look forward to inviting Saints back to Stair Park for the return fixture”, and it was fitting to see Gary’s dad John, an ex-Stranraer first team player in the 1950s and 60s – now aged 85 and the oldest player taking part, score a brace in the final game of the day.
Craig Fabian, from Saints adds, “Walking Football is all about friendship, fitness and fun. We saw all of that today and hopefully we’ve kicked off a new tradition of friendly fixtures between our two clubs”.
Any ability, including people who have never played before are welcome to give Walking Football a try. If you’re interested in giving it a go or finding out more, call Craig on 07493 777855
or email: [email protected]
