No argument over ref’s call to visit Easter Road
Coaching staff, fans and the referee were all in complete agreement during a special event hosted at Easter Road Stadium last week.
In fact, retired match official Martin Clark was given the warmest of welcomes when he decided to call in on the Edinburgh Football Memories group, based at the home of Hibernian FC.
A native of the Capital,
Martin was happy to chat with members and share highlights of his 24-year career, which saw him referee more than 300 top-flight games in Scotland between 1976 and 2000.
His visit was part of an initiative by Specsavers, official sponsors of the Scottish FA match officials, who have arranged for former refs to visit reminiscence groups around the country.
Established in 2009, Football Memories is run by the Scottish Football Museum in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland and now has 500 groups across Scotland.
It aims to assist people living with memory loss – including dementia and Alzheimer’s – and those experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
The programme uses football-themed resources, such as reminiscence cards, life-size player cut-outs, newspaper clippings and books, to stir memories and encourage discussions, led by volunteers.
Research has shown that long-term memories can be triggered for many through the visual cues of images, videos, artefacts and discussions taking place in a small group or even a one-to-one setting, helping to unlock happy moments from the past.
Robert Craig, Chair of the Scottish Football Museum, said: “We were delighted to welcome Martin to the group as our new partnership with
Specsavers continued to demonstrate its power. Their support to the Football Memories project, which impacts the lives of all who touch it, is invaluable and helps us to continue to deliver for those living with memory loss conditions or experiencing isolation.”
The Football Memories project impacts the lives of all who touch it