Rutherglen Reformer

Cup thrill for fan Cathy

Football Memories Group welcomes top trophies to Rutherglen Library

- Edel Kenealy

Football fan Cathy Connelly got her hands on the Scottish Junior Cup just days before her 95th birthday.

A member of the Football Memories Group, Cathy received an early birthday present when the Junior Cup and the senior Scottish Cup were brought to Rutherglen Library.

The visit marked the success of the group which brings together people with dementia through a shared love of the beautiful game.

Football fans got a treat recently when two of the Scottish game’s most prestigiou­s trophies paid a visit.

The Scottish Cup and The Scottish Junior Cup were on display in Rutherglen Library for the meeting of the Football Memories Group two weeks ago.

Members of the group were able to have their photograph­s taken with the trophies and learn a little more about their history.

They were brought to Rutherglen to celebrate the success of the group which brings together people with dementia through a shared love of the beautiful game.

The group meets monthly at the library and is led by volunteers who are trained to spend time with people who may be socially isolated or living with dementia, and have an interest in football.

Gerry Campbell, general manager of South Lanarkshir­e Leisure and Culture, said: “This is a great example of the work going on in our communitie­s to combat loneliness and isolation. Everyone interested in football has their own stories about their team and how football has impacted on their lives, and libraries provide a welcoming and friendly local environmen­t for these groups to meet.”

The Football Memories Group is a partnershi­p between Alzheimer Scotland and The Scottish Football Museum at Hampden and Rutherglen Library, which was chosen as a welcoming and accessible place for the group to meet.

Members talk about teams and matches from the past and work with images and memorabili­a to stimulate memories.

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Champions Hugh Porte and Gordon Burleigh hold Scotish Cup with Margaret Rose Watt
Champions Hugh Porte and Gordon Burleigh hold Scotish Cup with Margaret Rose Watt
 ??  ?? Officials Councillor David Watson, Robert Craig, Gerry Campbell and Helen White
Officials Councillor David Watson, Robert Craig, Gerry Campbell and Helen White
 ??  ?? Family Margaret Rose Watt and grandson Ollie admire the trophies
Family Margaret Rose Watt and grandson Ollie admire the trophies
 ??  ?? All smiles Alice Hannah and daughter Jennifer Cocozza lift trophy
All smiles Alice Hannah and daughter Jennifer Cocozza lift trophy
 ??  ?? Introducti­on Robert Craig of the Scottish Football Museum
Introducti­on Robert Craig of the Scottish Football Museum
 ??  ?? Looking up Cathy Connelly, 95
Looking up Cathy Connelly, 95

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