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We kicked off the O65’s competitive league season at Toryglen as we welcomed the O65’s West of Scotland league on Friday 14th February.
Previous winners Pollok Utd are top after today’s games but closely followed by Ayr Utd, Carrick WFC and Largs.
We thank all teams, players, and referees for all their support today and look forward to welcoming you all back in April.
We kicked off the O65’s competitive league season at Oriam as we welcomed the O65’s East of Scotland league on Friday 7th February.
Last year’s winners Alloa Athletic are joint top alongside last year’s West 65’s Champions, North Lanarkshire Council who will be playing their football in the East of the country this season.
We thank all teams, players, referees and regional reps for all their support today and look forward to welcoming you all back in April.
Photos - Phil Dawson
oriam
dunbar
stenhousemuir
gala fairydean rovers
north lanarkshire council
dunfermline dynamos
alloa athletic
fife wanderers
stirling albion
tweedvale
hearts
oriam
linlithgow rose cfc
We kick off the O65’s West competitive league season at Toryglen Regional Football Centre on Friday 14th February.
We are delighted to always welcome new teams to competitions and this year we welcome Giffnock North to their first competitive walking football season.
We wish all team’s all the very best this season.
We are delighted to announce that our Scottish Cup and Festival 2025 to be played on Saturday 7th June, has once again been sponsored by 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 & 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 and entries are open!
CHSS are Scotland’s largest health charity working to help people with chest, heart and stroke conditions live life to the full and we look forward in welcoming them again to what is such a special day in the WFS calendar.
Teams can now enter by contacting competition@walkingfootballscotland.org to request an entry form which is also available to download here.
Categories available include:
Over 50’s
Over 60’s
Over 65’s
Over 70’s
Over 40’s Women’s
Over 50’s Women’s
Parkinson's
Over 40’s Mixed Non-Competitive Festival
We ask all clubs not delay in completing entry form and return to us ASAP to secure your clubs space as some categories are almost full already.
We are thoroughly looking forward as ever, to what we will be a fantastic day and we hope that your team will be able to join us.
We kick off the new competitive league season at Oriam as we welcome the O65’s East of Scotland league on Friday 7th February.
Last year’s winners Alloa Athletic look to defend their title and kick off their campaign against Dunbar.
We wish all team’s all the very best this season.
We kicked off the new competitive league season today with the O50’s West of Scotland leagues at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.
We were delighted to welcome so many new teams to the O50’s category and we commenced the afternoon with a very competitive Premiership which sees last year’s League winners, Motherwell FC CT and Champions League winners, Pollok Utd joint top after 3 wins each.
In the Championship, Dumbarton who will be looking to go straight back up to the Premiership, and started off unbeaten and top of the league, closely followed by John Sutton CC and Glenafton Athletic.
And finally, for our new Conference League, its Motherwell FC who finish top today, 3 points clear of local rivals Motherwell Phoenix and WEBATA, who both do have a game in hand each.
We thank referees, regional reps and venue staff for all their support today.
Photos - Phil Dawson
townhead strollers
pollok utd
saint anthony’s
braehead fc
carrick wfc
motherwell fc ct
giffnock sc auld timers
The Annual Survey has now been open for a few weeks and, to date, we have received almost 75 responses from the length and breadth of the country.
It would also appear that we may have been underestimating those playing walking football across Scotland too, if the numbers below are a representative sample from all the affiliated groups who have been able to respond so far with 501 women and 2984 men playing.
The survey remains open for clubs and groups who have yet to provide the information requested, and we would ask that the 5-10 minutes it should take to complete, will result in assisting the Trustees fulfil their duties on behalf of Walking Football Scotland.
https://thinkdifferentevents.co.uk/hosted-events/walking-football-scotland-annual-survey
Further updates to follow.
In partnership with Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, we will be continuing with our monthly spotlight on Walking Football Scotland Players of the Month!
For January the Walking Football Scotland Men’s Player of the Month is David Fairgrieve! David, 60, plays with Heart of Midlothian Community FC.
Walking Football Scotland Women’s Player of the Month is Diane Brodie! Diane, 49, plays with Rangers FFIT.
Congratulations David and Diane! They shared their reflections on what Walking Football means to them.
Diane: “I’ve always been a football fan, though I hadn’t played since my teens. My Dad was one of the first to be involved at Bellahouston when I came across walking football for him with Glasgow Life and he played up until recently, loving the banter and the opportunity to kick a ball again. I was also taking my son to his games and thought it would be great if there would be something for me too, so once I saw the first advert for ladies I jumped at the chance.”
David: “I got involved with walking football as an alternative to traditional football. As I got older I found I was not as able to keep up with the demands of running due to my age and small injuries I had picked up over the years. Walking football is more of a low impact sport and did not have the same impact on my joints. I wanted to participate in something that would help with my flexibility and which still kept me mobile.”
Diane: “It has been so good for both my physical and mental health. It’s time just for me, away from being a busy Mum, and for that hour or so I just enjoy myself and forget about everything else. Winning the league in November was a great day but just getting the chance to do this each week with a great bunch of girls I’m thankful for and with Ibrox in the background – it’s just amazing.”
David: “It has improved my overall health, fitness and well-being. Taking part in regular exercise has also helped me sleep better. It’s had a massive positive effect on my confidence and self-esteem and how I feel about myself. It has also helped with my weight management. Whilst there is an element of competitiveness, I have found an exercise that provides a laugh and enjoyment.”
“As part of my grassroots football, I am trained in First Aid. Recently I had to put these skills into use when participating at recent O60’s Champions League. An opposing player from Dundee East took unwell, collapsed and became unresponsive. I was able to use my CPR and defib training and save John’s life. I have now encouraged all my Walking Football Family to gain their First Aid and defib training in case it may be required in the future.”
Diane: “Give it a try! Whether you’ve played before or not, it’s a chance to meet others and get fit. It’s surprising the amount of steps you do in a session. The social aspect is beneficial too and most groups have a space indoors afterwards where you can have a cuppa and a chat.”
David: “It is a sport that can be enjoyed by anyone of any fitness level. The social opportunities alone mean you get the chance to get out the house, meet new people and create lifelong friendships on and off the pitch. There are openings to participate in friendly competitions and meet people from other parts of the country. It can also help with your balance and coordination which can reduce the likelihood of falls and accidents. It’s a great way to improve your mental health and reduce stress.”
We kick off the new competitive league season this Sunday with the O50’s West of Scotland leagues at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.
In a first for Walking Football Scotland, this year we see 3 divisions in both the West and East leagues and we are delighted to welcome so many new teams across the country.
Last year’s winners Motherwell FC CT kick off with a tricky match against Saint Anthony’s - Whites, whereas newly promoted champions Carrick commence their Premiership debut against Braehead FC.
In the Championship, relegated Dumbarton will be looking to bounce back to the Premiership but start with a tough match against promotion hopefuls Glenafton Athletic.
And finally, in the new Conference league we are delighted to welcome new teams including: Craig Molloy Coaching CIC, Duncanrig EK, Motherwell Phoenix, WEBATA and wish them all the very best!
We were back to competitive action today as the O60’s Men’s Champions League recommenced today after first commencing in December at Toryglen Regional Football Centre.
Sadly on that day, John McGee from Dundee East suffered a heart attack in the second game, but thanks to David Fairgrieve (Hearts) for quickly commencing CPR and the support from venue staff and then ambulance crew, a positive outcome sees John now doing well, recovering at home after a spell in hospital.
Dundee East made a special presentation today thanking David for his heroic actions that day saving John’s life and we thank the walking football community who came together that day to support one another after the traumatic moments.
It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of knowing life-saving skills, as you never know when they might make all the difference. This is a true testament to the selflessness and courage that can exist in sports and the power of community.
To the action now and after 4 tough matches today, Pollok Utd clinched the trophy to become O60’s Champions League Winners for 2024.
We congratulate all teams including winners Pollok Utd, Dundee East CSC, Pollok Thistle, Hearts, North Lanarkshire Council and Alloa Athletic for a competitive afternoon of walking football.
A big thanks to our referees for all their support and we look forward in welcoming all O60’s back to competitive league action in the next couple of months.
Photos - Phil Dawson
This week we were delighted to spend time delivering our Education Workshop to players from across the country with workshops delivered in Oriam and Toryglen.
70 representatives from 33 affiliated clubs joined us to learn more about walking football, the developments of the game in classroom based delivery before concluding with a practical session of what the game should look like as well as ideas for warm ups. These clubs included:
Ayr Utd, Castlemilk CFT, Cocksburnspath, Drumchapel Utd, Dumbarton FC, Dunbar, Dunfermline Dynamos, Duncanrig EK, EK Gerihatricks, Fife Wanderers, Giffnock North, Giffnock SC, Glenbuck & Douglas Valley, Gorebridge, Hearts, Hibs, Hillwood, Loanhead, Midlothian, Morton, Motherwell FC CT, Oriam, Park Villa, Penicuik, Pollok Utd, Rangers FFIT, Rossvale, Saints in the Community, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion, Stornoway, Stranraer and Tweedvale
We thank both venues and staff for their support this week and we look forward in announcing our next dates for workshop in the not too distant future.
We hope walking football will continue to evolve and grow as more people see and feel the benefits participation brings. This annual survey below should only take a few minutes of your time and we look forward to the collective responses received from across the country.
As part of WFS some of the benefits of affiliation include:
• Entry to Scottish Walking Football National Scottish Cup & Festival and National Leagues
• Listing of your walking football sessions on WFS website
• WFS promotion of your sessions through our social media channels and website
• Voting rights at WFS annual general meetings
• Opportunities to share good practice
• Free or discounted access to all WFS Education Workshops
• Discounts/preferential rates on all WFS merchandise through our preferred supplier RJM Sports
• Free access to the Scottish Football Museum, Hampden Park through our partner charity, Football Memories
• Discounted physiotherapy at the Hampden Sports Clinic
• Rights to use WFS logo for marketing and branding
• By affiliating your club/group helps support the cause for longer term funding and support for the development of walking football in Scotland
Please check with your main club contact before completing from the link below, to prevent duplicate entries.
Our clubs continue to be busy over the festive period wither its supporting local foodbanks like Fairfield’s Mental Health group, Christmas jumper sessions at Annan and Scone or Christmas Nights Out and Awards Night for Carrick, Dunbar, Oriam, St Duthus, Hearts, Midlothian, KA Leisure, Pollok Utd, St James, Tayport and Fife Wanderers respectively.
For Ayr Utd, an opportunity to parade the Champions League trophy after their recent success in the O70’s event this month.
The Honest Men enjoyed their deserved plaudits at the recent match at Somerset Park of Ayr V Falkirk.
In Aberdeen, the Strikers group joined their own recreational session with their Parkinson’s group for and end of season game together - a terrific show of community togetherness!
All amazing enjoyable moments and we continue to thank all our clubs for what they do!
ayr utd
annan athletic
fairfield
oriam
scone thistle
st duthus
aberdeen strikers
aberdeen strikers
dunbar wfc
fife wanderers
𝗪𝗙𝗦 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
Bookings now available for the first of our Education Workshops in 2025.
Contact matt@walkingfootballscotland.org to book onto this free certificated course.
We are keeping up with our monthly spotlight on Walking Football Scotland Players of the Month in partnership with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland!
For December the Walking Football Scotland Women’s Player of the Month is Sally Shering! Sally, 59, plays with Haddington Athletic.
Walking Football Scotland Men’s Player of the Month is Colin Lai! Colin, 62, plays with Pollok Utd.
Congratulations Sally and Colin! They shared their reflections on what Walking Football means to them.
Sally: “I used to play in the Scottish Women’s Football Leauge and wanted to be involved in a team sport again. Walking Football gave me the perfect opportunity to do so.”
Colin: “I wanted to exercise while also having fun and walking football seemed the best thing to do.”
Sally: “Walking football has greatly improved my health and fitness and also my mental wellbeing.”
Colin: “In a short time, I have found great enjoyment playing a sport I like. I have also met many people from different walks of life I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet otherwise.”
Sally: “It is easy for anyone to start regardless of age of fitness level. It is great to be a part of a team!”
Colin: “If you like football and played it when you were younger, you must come and try it!”
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