World’s Biggest One-Day Walking Football Event Returns to Glasgow 

With the World Cup in North America just days away, a football tournament closer to home has made it’s mark on the world stage. 

The Walking Football Scottish Cup, organised by Walking Football Scotland (WFS) and sponsored by leading Scottish health charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), took place at Glasgow Green Football Centre on Saturday, with nearly 1,000 players from 96 teams from across Scotland competing in the tournament across various age categories.  

For the past three years CHSS and WFS have been in partnership to improve health outcomes for over fifties across Scotland.   

Figures from Public Health Scotland showed more than 11,000 Scots had a stroke last year. Stroke remains one of Scotland’s biggest causes of long-term disability. There are also 300,000 people living with coronary heart disease, Scotland’s biggest killer.  

Stuart Brown, Deputy Head of Prevention Services at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come together again to celebrate the Walking Football Scottish Cup. 

“As we enter the fourth year of our partnership with Walking Football Scotland, it’s a real moment to reflect on what we’re achieving together for communities across Scotland. 

“Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is committed to supporting the 1 in 5 people across the country living with our conditions, helping them to manage their health and live full lives with the right support, at the right time and in the right place. 

“A key part of that is improving health outcomes across Scotland, and walking football is a brilliant way to stay active, connected and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

“Over the past three years, our partnership with Walking Football Scotland has shown the power of sport to drive real, lasting change. With Walking Football Scotland reaching players in every corner of the country, we’ve been able to offer practical support to clubs, players and their families, while raising awareness of our services for those who need them. 

“It’s inspiring to see the sport’s popularity continuing to grow, and we’re proud to be alongside Walking Football Scotland as the partnership goes from strength to strength in its third year and beyond.” 

Craig Levein and Tom Boyd, along with WFS patrons Gordon Smith and Rose Reilly MBE, as well as Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Neil Gray, attended on the day. 

David Winnie, the President of Walking Football Scotland, said: “Walking Football Scotland is setting the pace – not only in the numbers taking part, but in the difference the game is making. We’re breaking records, strengthening communities, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. 

“This is our flagship event which celebrates everything walking football stands for. But the sport’s true spirit is in the hundreds of people who turn out week after week in communities across Scotland. Thank you to everyone who helps make it so special.”  

For more information about Walking Football Scotland please go to Walking Football – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (chss.org.uk).  

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice, information, or access to our services in your local area, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.