Hearts lost on penalties in the final of the Walking Football Scottish Cup at Glasgow Green on Saturday.
The event, believed to be the biggest of its kind in the walking football world – was enjoyed by over 700 players competing in the Cups and the Friendly Festival. Andy Gould, Head of Football Development at the Scottish FA joined Walking Football Scotland Patron Craig Brown who presented the trophies.
Hearts won their group before disposing of previous winners Midlothian in the last 16. Victories over Arbroath and Kilmarnock resulted in a final appearance against Raith Rovers. The hard-fought encounter ended level but the Fifers won the penalty shoot out 4-2 to secure the Over 50s Cup.
The Inaugural Over 65’s Scottish Cup had 8 teams competing for the trophy and worthy winners Kirkcaldy defeated East Kilbride Gerihatricks in a similar nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
The non-competitive Friendly Festival had 32 entrants signed up to play walking football at its purest.
Midlothian Ladies won the Fair Play award and this year the Board of Trustees decided to put up a Fair Play award for the competitive competition in memory of Midlothian man Peter Collins.
Peter was a man who was passionate about his walking football and was a great ambassador for the sport. He was always helpful, cheerful and nothing was a trouble for him. He was at the forefront of walking football when it was first played in Scotland and became recognisable as the smiling face of walking football.
The Peter Collins Award for Fair Play will be an annual event and the first winners were Linlithgow Rose.
Walking Football Scotland Chairman Gary McLaughlin said: “We are absolutely delighted with the Event today. The players turned out in the hundreds to support us. They travelled from the far North of Scotland down to the Borders. Glasgow Green was jumping today. Everything was so good, weather was fantastic, the competition although keen was played in an exceptionally sporting manner and I am so proud to see Walking Football developing and engaging so many as WFS strive, to play our part in making and keeping Scotland an Active Nation through Sport.”
St John Scotland put on CPR and Defibrillator displays throughout the day which proved to be popular with participants whilst Prostate Cancer UK were always visible in their gazebo where everyone was made welcome and made more informed about the disease.
Other partners were there to enjoy and add their support to the event, Cardiac Science,Prostate Cancer UK, SAMH, Active Scotland, The Salvation Army and the Scottish FA all field teams in the Festival.
Photo by Helen Hyland
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.
