SAINTS WALKING FOOTBALL PLAYERS TAKE PART IN FOOTBALL FESTIVAL WITH ANNAN ATHLETIC AND STRANRAER

Saints Walking Football took part in a football festival with Annan Athletic and Stranraer.

It was hosted at Annan’s Galabank ground by Gordon Hyslop, Walking Football Scotland’s regional representative and organiser of Annan Walking Football.

The three clubs have established a friendship across the region, and this was the first of three festivals they will play together this season, each club taking turns to host the event.

All three clubs fielded two teams each, and a mini-league format was played. Games were competitive, but played in a spirit of friendship and fun in the sunshine.

Saints came out top in the final points tally with 11 points, closely followed by Annan and Stranraer with 10 points each – Annan pipping it on goal difference.

As always in walking football, though, the results were less important than the joy of playing and good banter, which continued over hot pies and drinks after the game.

Awards were presented by Annan legend Alan Irving. Player of the tournament was Saints’ Andy Durham and the fair play award for the day was picked up by Gerry Baxter from Annan. Old friendships from across the region were rekindled and new ones made. The football festival format is as much about people getting together as it is about football – there were no trophies to win, it wasn’t a knockout tournament, just good fun on a gorgeous Galloway day.

Stranraer’s player/manager, Gary Small, said: “We received top hospitality from the players and club representatives at Annan. All matches were played in the spirit of friendship and we had a great day out.”

Craig Fabian from Saints added: “Walking football is all about playing football with a smile on your face for the pure fun of it, and for fitness of course.

“We saw all of that and it was great to see all of the players mixing and chatting over hot food in the clubhouse after the game.”

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 [email protected]

2024-03-29T08:11:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd