Six Scottish sides took part in the prestigious Algarve Walking Football Cup which was held at Brown’s Sports and Leisure Club in Vilamoura on 6/7 October.
Walking Football has seen a surge in popularity in recent years with teams and projects developing in settings from football clubs, local authorities, community groups, sports clubs and in healthcare settings.
The sport is aimed at keeping people aged over 50 involved with football if, due to a lack of mobility or for other reason, they are not able to play the traditional game.
Though based on association football, the key difference in the rules, from standard football, is that if a player runs then they concede a free kick to the other side. This restriction, together with a ban on slide tackles, is aimed both at avoiding injuries and facilitating the playing of the sport by those who are physically disadvantaged.
Walking Football also has the potential to improve people’s lives. Benefits include increased physical activity, improved mental health and wellbeing, access to additional sources of support and the opportunity to form new friendships for those living in isolation.
Carnoustie Panmure fared best, winning the Final Classification Place after finishing 5th in the tournament which was won by local side Olhao A who defeated hosts Browns in the final.
Tullibody Reds finished in 6th place, just above Hearts 56 in 7th.
Tweedvale from Peebles finished in 14th place with Hearts 98 in 15th and Tullibody Blues in 19th.
Paul Yates from Chesterton Crusaders A was named the tournament Most Valuable Player and 78 year-old Paul Simpson from Mansfield Reds won the Forever Young award.
The full list of results for the Scottish teams follows.
Carnoustie Panmure
Carnoustie Panmure 2-1 Browns
Carnoustie Panmure 4-0 Mansfield Reds
Carnoustie Panmure 1-0 Chesterton Crusaders A
Carnoustie Panmure 0-0 Tullibody Reds
Carnoustie Panmure 5-1 Tweedvale
Carnoustie Panmure 0-0 Derby County (Lost 3-2 on penalties)
Carnoustie Panmure 1-1 Hearts 56 (Won 2-1 on penalties)
Carnoustie Panmure 1-0 Tullibody Reds
Tullibody Reds
Tullibody Reds 0-0 Chesterton Crusaders A
Tullibody Reds 2-1 Mansfield Reds
Tullibody Reds 0-1 Browns WF
Tullibody Reds 0-0 Carnoustie Panmure
Tullibody Reds 0-0 Canterbury City (Won 2-1 on penalties)
Tullibody Reds 1-0 Chesterton Crusaders A
Tullibody Reds 0-0 Olhao B (Lost 1-2 on penalties)
Tullibody Reds 0-1 Carnoustie Panmure
Hearts 56
Hearts 56 1-2 Olhao A
Hearts 56 4-1 Stamerton stalkers Navy
Hearts 56 1-1 Canterbury City
Hearts 56 5-1 Tavira B
Hearts 56 0-0 Mansfield Yellow (Won 3-1 on penalties)
Hearts 56 0-0 Chesterton Crusaders A(Won 1-0 on penalties)
Hearts 56 0-2 Olhao A
Hearts 56 0-0 Browns (Lost 0-2 on penalties)
Hearts 56 1-1 Carnoustie Panmure (Lost 2-1 on penalties)
Hearts 56 1-1 Chesterton Crusaders B
Tweedvale
Tweedvale 0-2 Derby County
Tweedvale 1-2 Stamerton Stalkers Black
Tweedvale 1-3 Olhao B
Tweedvale 0-1 Hearts 98
Tweedvale 2-1 Tullibody Blue
Tweedvale 1-5 Carnoustie Panmure
Tweedvale 0-1 Chesterton Crusaders A
Tweedvale 2-0 Hearts 98
Tweedvale 0-1 Stamerton Stalkers Black
Hearts 98
Hearts 98 0-0 Olhao B
Hearts 98 0-2 Stamerton Stalkers Black
Hearts 98 2-2 Derby County
Hearts 98 1-0 Tweedvale
Hearts 98 0-0 Mansfield Yellows (Won 3-1 on penalties)
Hearts 98 0-2 Olhao A
Hearts 98 0-1 Canterbury City
Hearts 98 0-2 Tweedvale
Hearts 98 1-0 Tavira
Tullibody Blues
Tullibody Blues 0-2 Chesterton Crusaders B
Tullibody Blues 0-0 Mansfield Seniors Yellow
Tullibody Blues 0-0 Tavira
Tullibody Blues 0-3 West Lancs
Tullibody Blues 1-2 Tweedvale
Tullibody Blues 0-0 Stamerton Stalkers (Lost 1-2 on penalties)
Tullibody Blues 1-1 Tavira (Won 2-1 on penalties)
Photo courtesy of Brown’s
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
