Pictures by George Munro
FOUR walking footballers from Inverclyde have shown that age is no barrier to recognition after their performances on the pitch won them places in two regional select squads.
Chris McClenaghan, who plays for Morton in the Community's over 60s, has been selected to play for South West Scotland's regional team.
And three more locals - Angus Bowes, Billy McNeice and Ian Taylor – have been selected to play for the West of Scotland's regional over-70s team, under the guidance of former player and coach Gary Gallagher, who is assistant to manager Gary Caldwell.
All four players are based at The Hub in Inverkip and have come through various trials and a rigorous selection process over the past few months, prior to being selected for their respective squads.
The over-60s and over-70s tournaments, both played to a six-a-side format, will be played at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre in the shadow of Hampden Park later this month, with the Morton players doing battle against teams from four other regions across Scotland for the right to be crowned Scottish regional champions.
The over-60s competition will take place on Friday, June 13, with the over-70s version following on Friday, June 20.
A spokesperson for Morton in the Community’s walking football set-up said: “Walking football is a great form of exercise for everyone who still loves the game. It also promotes a social and mental wellbeing aspect within the sessions played at The Hub which are extremely well attended.
“Best wishes to all five participants at Toryglen.
“The continued support for walking football at Inverkip from Morton in the Community is greatly appreciated.”
Walking football is exactly what it sounds like – a standard game of football where players walk instead of run.
It's designed to help people get fit or maintain an active lifestyle no matter what their age and fitness, as well as supporting people who are looking to get back into football if they have given it up due to age or injury.
Older people who play have seen many benefits: lower heart rate and blood pressure, less fat and more muscle, and better mobility.
Morton in the Community’s walking football sessions take place at The Hub in Inverkip every Monday and Friday from 1-2pm, with tea, coffee and other refreshments following until 2.30pm.
Walking football is just one of nearly 30 individual projects run by Morton in the Community, with others including its men's mental health initiative 'Team Talk', and its dementia support group, Morton Memories, which it runs in collaboration with Alzheimer's Scotland.