Over 40s embrace the ‘beautiful game’ with new weekly sessions at Dornoch MUGA
Over 40s, pushing 50s, nearing 60s, and some edging towards their 70s are coming together to bask in the simplicities of ‘the beautiful game’ in Dornoch.
A new group of footballers, who have decided that playing football is not just for the young, are now meeting weekly at the recently installed Dornoch Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).
The self-professed “loose collective of like-minded individuals” has found a home on Tuesday nights in Dornoch, and has so far attracted football players from as far afield as Rogart to Evanton, Arabella to Bonar Bridge, and Dornoch.
The sessions have been primarily aimed at players over 40 who proudly continue to play football, no matter what age they are.
The idea was first conceived by two like-minded individuals - one in his early forties, and one on his mid-sixties, back in August.
Three months later they have now played their first game.
Patrick Vickery, one of the group’s founding members, said: “The muscles may take longer to warm up, the pace may be slower, the injuries may be more frequent, but the enjoyment is the same. We play for fun. No competitions, no leagues, we simply live for the moment when we hit the pitch.
“There’s no committee, no club, we simply turn up and play with all the enthusiasm that can be mustered. That’s us. All we require is a ball, some bibs and a welcoming place to play which Dornoch has provided, thanks to Luke Watson, chair of Dornoch Area Community Interest Company DACIC and manager of Dornoch MUGA, who has shared his foresight and support.
“The group consists of 26 individuals - 26 footballers. Age irrelevant. We are having the time of our lives and we’ve only played our first game. The first of many. Imagine the joy and fulfilment yet to come!”
For more information on the sessions, contact Patrick on pvickery59@gmail.com.
