Amputee football team go extra mile for Euros bid
APLAYER from Scotland’s national amputee football team completed a gruelling 26-mile fundraising challenge on Saturday, running between six football grounds to help send his squad to the Amputee Football European Championships.
Goalkeeper and arm amputee Stephen Tully, from Hamilton, set off from Motherwell FC’s Fir Park at 6.30am, running to Hamilton Accies, Celtic Park, Firhill and Ibrox.
Left-back Rob Wilson, a leg amputee from Dundee, joined Tully for half the run before other players from the squad joined the final stretch to Hampden Park.
The amputee squad is part of Amputee Football Association Scotland, a charity set up in 2017 dedicated to growing the discipline in Scotland.
In November, Scotland hosted Group D of the European Amputee Football Nations League competition in Fife,and secured their place in France – the first time Scotland has qualified.
Amputee football leagues operate in more than 30 countries worldwide. Scotland currently plays in the Irish Amputee Football league. The game is played on crutches with teams of seven-a-side. Those in goals must have an upper limb amputation, while those outfield a lower limb amputation. While the charity gets financial support from Scottish Para-Football, the Scottish FA’s governing body for disability football in Scotland, the team needs to raise a further £20,000.
Tully, 33, said: “The run was incredibly tough. But the thought of the team and going to France was a constant motivation. Everyone dreams of putting on the national jersey and representing their country but so few ever get the chance to do so. The honour is huge and we intend to do our nation proud.”
Ashley Pedersen, chief executive of Scottish Para-Football and founder of Amputee Football Association Scotland, said: “Para-football in Scotland is growing at an incredible rate ... I’d urge the public to get behind the team and support them.”