ARTHUR DUNCAN MEMORIAL AWARD WINNER 2023 - COLIN CRAIG

𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 - 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗚

‘𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅.’

Arthur Duncan was a long-standing supporter and contributor to Walking Football in Scotland and was a fervent supporter of the social playing sessions and what it contributed to the “society” of players. Arthur was also a very talented man and along with ex-Chair, Gary McLaughlin created the WFS logo, later assigning copyright over the logo to Walking Football Scotland.

In recognition of his contribution, Walking Football Scotland launched the above award in 2022 for outstanding contribution to the game locally and among the community.

Prior to our AMM several excellent candidates were nominated from across the country and we are delighted to announce that the winner of the Arthur Duncan Memorial Award for 2023 is Drumchapel Utd’s, 𝘾𝙊𝙇𝙄𝙉 𝘾𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙂.

In 2019, after being a regular participant, Colin Craig, stepped forward and offered to cover a summer’s walking football programme in Glasgow to ensure sessions could continue at Glasgow Club Donald Dewar. After huge success and growth in numbers, Colin was hired as a coach and numbers have soared from a respectable 12 to now 75 active members in partnership with Drumchapel Utd.

Colin is a passionate advocate of fair play, being kind to each other and leads and coaches with a smile, never afraid to gently challenge unhelpful attitudes and remarks, characterised by good humour, banter and appropriate competitiveness.

Colin’s first passion is inclusion ensuring that there are no barriers to participation, and ability levels do not matter. He can be commended for the team spirit and camaraderie he nurtures to ensure that everyone is part of the group, including those with a health challenges, dementia, sight and hearing loss, autism, mental health issues and he also regularly keeps in touch with injured or unwell players to ensure that they are never forgotten about.

Under his guidance the leadership and support he gives to Drumchapel food bank as well as WFS charity partners, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland has seen the game open up new avenues and he has been at the forefront of it all. You can read his story here - https://youtu.be/HYhy1tg_8xg?si=VwI-FyyLgxXz6rWW

He organises social events for the team and ensures that the group are all one community and one big family through the power of football.

Colin is an inspiration to us all and to walking football here in Scotland and beyond.

Hearty congratulations Colin, who was presented with the Award at Hampden Park by President Kenny McLean and patron Rose Reilly MBE.

Special congratulations to the other high quality nominations that included:

- David Callaghan | Linlithgow Rose CFC

- Gordon Farquharson | Fairfield

- Jim Paterson | Carrick WFC

- Ray Parker | Arbroath