The talk o’ the toon are the boys in maroon...
LAST minute goals, incredible saves and triumphs over your greatest rivals – they’re all part of what makes football so special.
For fans, these are memories that will last a lifetime but now they’re serving an even greater purpose by helping people deal with dementia.
Supporters living with the condition meet regularly with volunteers to look through their favourite team’s archive pictures and programmes in the Football Reminiscence Project. Not only does it get them out of the house and mixing with others, but it also stimulates their minds and often provides a boost.
There are currently 120 groupss across Scotland – some hosted by y football clubs, others held in placess like halls and care centres – and the concept is continuing to grow and become more popular.
That’s evident at Tynecastle, where the Big Hearts Community Trust is just about to launch a second monthly football memories group in order to keep up with demand since starting two years ago.
The Sunday Post was invited along to their most recent get-together and the trust’s fundraising officer, Craig Wilson, says the impact of the project can be summed up by the wife of one of the attendees.
“She told me her husband’s a different person when he comes out of the group, that it injects new life into him,” Craig said. Barbara and John Peacock agree. They’ve been coming along to the Tynecastle group for two years and are in no doubt about the positive impact it has on their lives.
“John is always asking me when the next meeting is,” Barbara explained. “I see a real difference in his demeanour after he’s been here.
“It gets his brain going – he has a really good memory.”
John, 78, has frontotemporal dementia and was diagnosed six years ago.
“I never miss a session, it makes me feel good,” he said.
“Ex-players often come along to the group as well, which is great.
“I’ve been coming to Tynecastle ever since I was lifted over the turnstiles by my dad, and now my daughter and grandson go to the games.”
Alex and Agnes Turner are newcomers to the group and admit they’re still trying to process the dementia diagnosis Alex received last November.