2022 Scottish National Cups & Festival
/What a fantastic day in Glasgow on Saturday 11th June 2022 as Walking Football Scotland hosted their first National Scottish Cup and Festival since 2019 following a three year interruption due to the covid pandemic.
Just under 600 players descended on Glasgow Green Football Centre under ever changing weather conditions as we hosted Over 50’s, Over 60’s, Over 70’s and Over 40’s Womens Scottish Cups respectively.
Event organiser Matt Ramsay said: “It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted to welcome back so many teams and players for the biggest one day walking football event in the world! To see players interact, compete and simply enjoy the game and the many benefits with a smile on their face, is what makes such events all the worthwhile. The added bonus is the opportunity to promote what WFS do and we are grateful to the BBC for the live radio coverage helping us to encourage more people to get involved in walking football.”
One thing that is special about our festival is the opportunity to allow people simply to come and play without the focus on results or winning. Our Over 40’s Non-competitive festival offers just that, where over 100 players were able to enjoy the many benefits the game has to offer. We again welcomed teams from all over Scotland as far as Fort William and also had a ‘first’ with Glasgow Life - Parkinson’s team taking part in their first ever event.
WFS Chairman, David Hyland said:
"The whole day from the competitive element to festival is so special to us, I can't think when I've enjoyed a day of me NOT playing walking football more!
To see the joy and camaraderie of everyone taking part in what we believe to be the world's largest single day Walking Football event since covid, was priceless. It's great to welcome everyone back.The weather was against us but spirits weren’t dampened.
A very big thank you to everyone who took part and a very special thank you to our inspirational patron, Rose Reilly, MBE, who spent the whole day with us.”
In the afternoon, some of our team were in for a real treat as they took to the field to play against a BBC Sportsound team which included players such as Scottish internationlists James McFadden and Chris Burke, former Rangers manager Graham Murty, Kris Doolan, Lee Millar and BBC Scotland presenter Kenny MacIntyre.
We were delighted to also welcome our friends at St John Scotland who provided CPR and defibrillator demonstrations as players waited between their games and thank their volunteers for the committment during the day.
FINAL RESULTS
There were four Scottish Cup categories with some very competitive games, which carried into the finals with 3 out of the 4 going to penalties after 0-0 matches.
Over 50’s Scottish Cup Final
Giffnock SC Auld Timers v Pollok Utd
Winners | Pollok United - winning on penalties
Over 60’s Scottish Cup Final
Townhead Strollers v Alloa Athletic
Winners | Townhead Strollers - 3-1
Over 70’s Scottish Cup Final
Stenhousemuir v Fife Wanderers
Winners | Stenhousemuir winning on penalties
Over 40's Women’s Scottish Cup Final
Giffnock SC v Braehead
Winners | Giffnock winning on penalties
Well done to all our winners and commiserations to our finalists with presentation led by patron Rose Reilly MBE.
Walking Football Scotland would like to say thank you to all players, clubs, coaches, referees and supporters and hope to announce next year’s date very soon.
Pictures courtesy of Hrhphoto
