Continuing the group’s excellent charity work, John Wylie and Stephen MacCrimmon represented us this week in another visit to the children’s ward at Victoria hospital. The purpose of the visit was to deliver toys and gifts purchased courtesy of donations from the Sunday night group. Previous donations from the group have been made to the Cottage Family Centre, the Kingdom Kids Toy Appeal and the children’s ward.
Stephen said: “The players play every Sunday at Starks Park and all of the guys pay an extra 50p each session.
As a community group we realise the importance of giving back to the local community. We appreciate the work the staff at the Children’s Ward at Victoria Hospital do for the patients and families that come in from all over Fife.
We hope to continue to donate to the Children’s ward, and other worthy causes, in the coming years.”
What is your footballing history? (Sunday league, Junior….) Playing for the school team, 11s and 5s with pals
What was your introduction to walking football? After a bad leg break (playing 5s!) I joined Raith’s FFIT programme to try and get back kicking a ball and they promoted it. I asked Paul Gilfillan about walking football and he said to give it a try so I did.
What were your first impressions of walking football? It’s a lot harder than you think it will be! You need to be accurate with passes (a challenge for me) and position is really important. And I was knackered at the end of it!
What do you get (if anything) from walking football? It’s a great group of guys so there is always a good amount of banter (often in my direction) on the go. During COVID, the sessions at the park were a highlight of the week as it was good to actually interact with people face to face rather than staring at a screen.
Funniest thing you’ve seen (or experienced) in walking football? There is usually something funny every week – usually my uncanny ability to miss the target!
Outside of walking football, do you have interests in any other sport? I still play running 5s every week (Charles would say on a Sunday night as well!) and used to play hockey at school. I support Dundee United but despite that, I’m still welcomed by the Raith guys.
Who are your football/sporting heroes? I used to live across the road from Tannadice so was always going to be a Dundee United fan. Needless to say my sporting heroes all have a tangerine tinge to them! Jim McLean is a stand out – what he did with United in the 80’s will never be matched. He was years ahead of his time and I think its only now you realise how huge his achievements were. Kevin Gallacher for that cross/shot (I was in the shed behind the goal for that) and Craig Brewster for finally shaking off the Scottish Cup hoodoo.
What is your footballing history? (Sunday league, Junior….) Sunday amateur league
What was your introduction to walking football? Steve Fleming asked me if I fancied joining around 2 years ago but unfortunately lockdown put a stop to that. Then in April last year (2021) when it started up again he asked me again. I came along and have been coming along ever since.
What were your first impressions of walking football? Great bunch of guys, with some tremendous banter.
What do you get (if anything) from walking football? Gets me out on a Sunday night for exercise and getting to know all the guys that take part.
Funniest thing you’ve seen (or experienced) in walking football? Me, getting far enough up the pitch to get an attempt on goal. Attempt being the operative word as actually scoring proves to be a bit more difficult.
Outside of walking football, do you have interests in any other sport? Yes, I enjoy watching both cricket and rugby league. But with not having Sky Sports I don’t see a lot of either of them.
Who are your football/sporting heroes? Jimmy Nicholl for some of the greatest days I’ve had in my many years of watching football. Away from the Rovers? George Best and Clive Lloyd. Have seen both of them play and they’re the best I’ve ever seen.
The team set off this afternoon from Starks Park with high expectations of a good start to this year’s league campaign. We had three games today against Fife Wanderers, Montrose and Saints in the Community.
Back row: Kevin Henderson, Harry Younger, Scott Jackson, Steve Fleming, John Cunningham Front row: Charles Doherty, Martin Page, Johnston Scott, John Wylie
Game 1: Fife Wanderers A tight game as always between us and our near neighbours. No goals until the 12th minute when the ref pinged us for a third run. I had only counted one up until then but…. The penalty was duly taken and the ball ended up in the net until the ref pointed out that he hadn’t blown his whistle so had to be retaken with the same result. 1-0 to Fife Wanderers. In the last minute a 3rd running infringement for Fife give us a penalty which Scott Jackson slides past the keeper as the whistle blows and the game finishes as a draw.
Arbroath 1-0 Carnoustie Panmure Fife Wanderers 1-1 Raith Rovers Crieff Juniors 3-2 Tayport Fairfield 2-1 Saints in the Community
Game 2: Montrose The game starts well for Raith with a 2nd minute goal as Scott Jackson collects a kick in and lashes the ball past the Montrose keeper. In the fifth minute a through ball to Scott lets him in again to score his 3rd goal of the day and boosts his campaign for this year’s golden boot. Chances continue for Raith while Montrose fail to really get much purchase on the game. In the 12th minute Scott Jackson claims his hat trick with a thundering shot that beats the keeper. But a big deflection off John Cunningham takes the goal away from Scott and is awarded to John. A couple of late breakaways from Montrose come to nothing and the game ends 3-0 to Raith
Dundee United 0-1 St James Dunfermline Dynamos 3-2 St Andrews & East Neuk Montrose 0-3 Raith Rovers Arbroath 2-3 Crieff Juniors
Fife Wanderers 0-0 Saints in the Community Dundee United 0-2 Tayport Fairfield 3-0 St Andrews & East Neuk Dunfermline Dynamos 1-3 St James
Carnoustie Panmure 2-2 Crieff Juniors Montrose 1-1 Saints in the Community Arbroath 3-0 Dundee United Fife Wanderers 6-0 St Andrews & East Neuk
Game 3: Saints in the Community Our 3rd and final game of the day and it was a tight one. Plenty of shots fired in by Raith but precious few on target until the 6th minute when an intercepted throw out from the keeper is passed to Scott Jackson and he gives the keeper no chance finding the top right corner of the goal from the left corner of the box. The game continues in the same vein with Raith squandering chance after chance. Luckily the whistle goes and Raith hold out to win 1-0
Dunfermline Dynamos 0-5 Tayport Fairfield 2-2 St James Raith Rovers 1-0 Saints in the Community Carnoustie Panmure 2-0 Montrose
GP
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Fairfield
3
2
1
0
7
3
4
7
Raith Rovers
3
2
1
0
5
1
4
7
St James
3
2
1
0
6
3
3
7
Crieff Juniors
3
2
1
0
8
6
2
7
Tayport
3
2
0
1
9
3
6
6
Arbroath
3
2
0
1
6
3
3
6
Fife Wanderers
3
1
2
0
7
1
6
5
Carnoustie Panmure
3
1
1
1
4
3
1
4
Dunfermline Dynamos
3
1
0
2
4
10
-6
3
Saints in the Community
4
0
2
2
2
4
-2
2
Montrose
3
0
1
2
1
6
-5
1
Dundee United
3
0
0
3
0
6
-6
0
St Andrews & East Neuk
3
0
0
3
2
12
-10
0
League Table Week 1
At the end of week 1 the team is sitting nicely joint top of the league losing only one goal (from a penalty) and scoring five. With Scott Jackson staking an early claim for this year’s golden boot with all but one of our goals. Harry Younger scored nil today
The East League starts this Sunday (6th March) at the Regional Performance Centre in Dundee. This year there are thirteen teams taking part an increase of two from last year.
Arbroath: Third in the league last year, losing to Rovers in our penultimate game to confirm our second place. No doubt looking to do better this year. Carnoustie Panmure: Eighth in the league last year holding Rovers to a 3-3 draw on the final day of the league to set up our nail-biter with Arbroath. Crieff Juniors: Newcomers to the league this year. Dundee Utd: Mid table last year would have been disappointing to one of the more well established teams. Dunfermline Dynamos: First season in the league last year ended in a disappointing tenth place. Will be looking to do much better this year, especially against the Rovers. Fairfield: Another new team to the league from Dundee. Fife Wanderers: Mid table last year but with an impressive goalscoring record. Montrose: Former Scottish Cup winners back in league action after a year out. Saints in the Community: Will be looking to improve on their ninth place in last year’s league. St Andrews: A really disappointing performance last season saw St Andrews finish at the bottom of the league. St James: Last year’s league champions will be looking for a three-peat. Tayport: Fourth in the league last year with one of the best defensive records.
Our three games this month are against Fife Wanderers, Montrose and Saints in the Community.
Friday 25th February saw over 25 players, past and present, attend RRCF Walking Football’s annual awards night at Styx, Kirkcaldy for an evening of chat, games and recognition.
First up, the awards.
Player’s player of the year. Voted for by squad players for the East League 2021 players the award went to one of the team’s most consistent players. His performances in “the sticks” and vocal leadership from the back kept us in many games. The player’s player of the year award goes to Martin Page.
Martin receiving PPOtY trophy
Next up, the Golden Boot. Awarded to the highest goalscorer in the league during the season. This was a close call and, with all goals being double checked and scrutinised, the winner, by one goal was John Wylie.
John receiving the Golden Boot trophy
And so to the final award. Chosen by Stephen MacCrimmon for a player who has come through so much this last year and has inspired everyone by his persistence and commitment not only in his own play but in how he has helped others improve their game as well. The final award goes to Martin Page.
Martin receiving POtY trophy
With the formal part of the evening concluded it was on to some relaxed games of pool (with Jimmy Robertson and Martin Page hustling hardest), darts (where Ross Paterson and Scott Jackson tended to hit the board more often than the surrounds more than everyone else) and beer pong (where Barry ‘Deadeye’ Martin steered his team to victory) with many chats about last season, next season and the merits of Bavarian white sausage (it’s an acquired taste apparently).
A great night and thanks to Stephen MacCrimmon for organising what was, hopefully, the first of many great social events this year.
What is your footballing history? (Sunday league, Junior….) Growing up, I had little interest in football. Mainly because I wasn’t very good at it. I did however play religiously every Sunday in a local match at Cotlands Park, Kennoway in something that we dubbed “Aggie League”. This featured players from both sides of Kennoway, with a mixture of ages, we all playing together often for hours. There were few rules, and no one really kept score but we always had fun.
I played in five a side leagues with a group of friends, all of whom were decent players and were good enough to let me tag along. I had one thing going for me, I was quick and could run all day. Was only when the ball was at my feet that there was an issue.
I have taken part in charity matches and memorial matches over the years all helping me to love the beautiful game.
What was your introduction to walking football? On the back of the FITT Course, we came along to fife college to get a taste of walking football.
What were your first impressions of walking football? Harder than I expected it to be, in a sense that some of the strong parts of my limited ability were eliminated but not being able to run, I learned quickly that it’s more about thinking about the game, understanding the skill needed to play a pass and find space. Had I started this as a kid, I think I’d have a better touch and could have been a better player in the running game.
What do you get (if anything) from walking football? For me it started as a bit of exercise, but quickly became a social activity. Being part of a group of like minded men and women (at times) who still want to compete and take part as a team. It’s introduced me to people from walks of life, where in normal circumstances would never have crossed my path.
Funniest thing you’ve seen (or experienced) in walking football? There is not one thing that stands out, but hearing some of the bickering from a bunch of Old men does tickle me.
Outside of walking football, do you have interests in any other sport? I love to walk in all areas of Scotland, taking in the beautiful and picturesque backdrop that it offered. I was a keen squash player, and hope to get back in to this now were are finding normality back in our lives. I played rugby through school and am still a fan of Scotland, taking in matches where I can.
The Champions League kicked off at 1pm today and saw Raith compete against the top two teams from each of the three Walking Football Regional Leagues in 2021. From the West league we have Giffnock SC Auld Timers and Townhead Strollers. From Central we have North Lanarkshire and Hearts 56′. And from the East we have ourselves and our good friends St James. Each team plays every other team once in a league format and the team with the most points after five games, wins.
Back row: John Cunningham, John Wylie, Derek Finnie, Scott Jackson, Jimmy Robertson, Charles Doherty Front row: Kevin Thomson, Martin Page, Paul Gregory, Harry Younger
First up our fellow East league team, St James. We’re expecting a tough tight game here having played St James many times and honours being almost even. Unfortunately we go one down early when big Franny gets the ball and manages to get past our defence and slot the ball home. The game continues and is tight with few chances for either side. A lot of hustle and bustle in midfield. With the game drawing to a close and Raith pressing a saved shot from St James ends at Franny’s feet unmarked at the edge of the box and he managed to seal the game with a last minute strike. St James 2-0 Raith Giffnock 3-2 Townhead North Lanarkshire 0-0 Hearts
Next up West league winners Giffnock SC Auld timers. A sporting gesture from Giffnock at the start of the game as they hand over a team pennant. A tight start to the game with both sides cancelling each other out changed in the ninth minute with two quick Giffnock goals. Despite a lot of effort Raith were unable to get a toe hold back in the game and the game ended at two nil to Giffnock. St Jame 1-0 North Lanarkshire Raith 0-2 Giffnock Hearts 0-0 Townhead
Our third match was against Hearts 56′, runners up in the Central league. Two games in and Raith haven’t yet scored but a first minute goal in this game puts that right. A free kick played to John Wylie sees him slot the ball into the net on the keeper’s right. As in other games a lot of hustle and bustle but no morew goals and Raith hold on for their first win of the tournament. Hearts 0-1 Raith North Lanarkshire 0-2 Townhead St James1-0 Giffnock
Our penultimate game of the day, against Central winners North Lanarkshire and the trophy is out of reach and we’re playing for pride. An early goal from Kevin Thomson in the third minute sets the team up for our second win of the day with Kevin also getting the second after a nice turn and pass from Harry Younger. St James 1-1 Townhead Raith 2-0 North Lanarkshire Hearts 2-2 Giffnock
Our final match against West league runners up, Townhead Strollers. With us sitting in third a point ahead of Townhead a draw confirms our third place finish. Again a tight game with some questionable refereeing decisions for and against each side. For the first time in all five games the ref calls a running foul against us. Then another. And then a third and it’s a ninth minute penalty for Townhead. The taker steps up and puts it to Pagey’s left but it hits the post and the chance is gone. Four minutes later though and a break down the left sees a shot across the goal and in off the post. With two minutes left Townhead play a good pressing game cutting down any Raith chance of an equaliser and the game finishes one nil to Townhead. North Lanarkshire 3-0 Giffnock Raith 0-1 Townhead St James 5-1 Hearts
And so the day ends with Raith in fourth place overall and the Champions League trophy going to fellow East League team St James who once again were unbeaten throughout the tournament. Congratulations to St James. See you again in the league.
What is your footballing history? Mercenary. Had gloves would travel. Under 17: Raith youth house, Kinghorn St Leonards, Burntisland Shipyard, Victoria Rovers. Sunday league: Kinghorn, Mr Thistle, Profab , Kinghorn Auld House. RRCF Walking football.
What was your introduction to walking football? A phone call and tears of laughter. Thanks Steve Fleming. Watched initially at Beacon leisure centre in Burntisland.
What were your first impressions of walking football? More skilful than I first expected. Majority of guys are seasoned veterans of full speed, so technically better than I initially thought.
What do you get (if anything) from walking football? A second chance at playing along with a great bunch of like-minded guys. Fantastic support.
Funniest thing you’ve seen (or experienced) in walking football? Too many to list but some of the shooting, (miles off target) can add a smile to my face.
Outside of walking football, do you have interests in any other sports? Until my hand went I played in local tennis club. But other than Walking football I only coach and assist with my son’s football team. Bayside Bronco’s 2010.
Who are your football/sporting heroes? Iker Casillas, Oliver Khan, Neville Southall and my father. He taught me well. Sergio Ramos. Quiet, calm and gifted.
What is your footballing history? School team, Saturday and Sunday amateur, 5 asides and currently Raith Rovers walking football.
What was your introduction to walking football? I was approaching my 50s with a dodgy knee and wondered if it was for me. I found out Stephen MacCrimmon was involved at Raith Rovers Walking Football and have now been playing for 4 years.
What were your first impressions of walking football? They were a friendly bunch and a lot of the players were younger than I expected. Games, though friendly, were more competitive than I expected too. I really like the banter and the competitive side. Takes me back to my younger days only at a much slower pace.
What do you get (if anything) from walking football? New friends, exercise and enjoyment from playing football again. I also like competitive games against other teams, which are, in the most part, good-humoured.
Funniest thing you’ve seen (or experienced) in walking football? Too many to mention as there is something funny most weeks. From wayward shooting to us tripping over our own feet.
RRCF Walking Football 