Borders boxer John McCallum aims to mount a challenge for the UK light heavyweight crown – after winning the unofficial Celtic title in rather peculiar circumstances.

The 30-year-old took the prize on Saturday in Glenrothes, Fife, with a points win over Casey Blair, of Belfast, whom he knocked down twice.

But the fight could not be sanctioned as the official Celtic Light Heavyweight crown, as Blair was over the regulation weight. The bout was also truncated from 10 rounds to six, then to four, for reasons John says were not fully made clear.

However, the win put him back to the top of the rankings, as he still beat a credible opponent, and he hopes his uncrowned status will enable him to challenge for the UK title.

This will be contested between Joshua Buatsi and Liam Conroy on March 23 at London’s Copper Box Arena.

John, who has a finance degree and spends time in Melrose and Galashiels, said: “I felt good going in and felt the preparation was well on target, with the right approach. It all paid dividends on the night. It was a positive perfomance.

“It was target practice, really – everything I threw, I landed. I found my range and distance from the start. Casey, to the respect of him, came to win that fight, and he came out swinging.”

Women boxers accounted for the rest of the bill in Fife – jointly making John the first ever male boxer to contest a professional show with an all-female undercard.

He is currently training at Guildford City Boxing Club in Surrey, while he has been sparring in Brighton with the Eubank brothers – Sebastian and Chris Eubank Jnr.

Kelso Racecourse stages the most valuable fixture of the weekend this Saturday – attracting all three of Scotland’s 2019 Grand National contenders.

The high-quality field for the £60,000 Belhaven Brewery Premier Chase includes 2017 Aintree hero, One For Arthur, plus Captain Redbeard and Lake View Lad.

Captain Redbeard’s Selkirk trainer Stuart Coltherd said: “He’s in tip-top form and it’s a good race on our doorstep.

“He beat Definitly Red nicely at Kelso last time and the plan is to go at his stage.”

Nick Alexander, trainer of Lake View Lad, said: “It’s really exciting to have a Grand National horse in the yard.

“We will make a decision nearer the time, as he is ground dependent and a better horse when the going is soft.”

Borders-owned One For Arthur is trained by Lucinda Russell, who said: “Unlike on his way to winning the National, nothing has gone smoothly this time.

“He schooled on Saturday morning and we are pleased with him – but he is also ground dependent, and it wouldn’t be the worst thing if he went to Aintree without another run.”

The home team could face some stiff opposition from the south, including the Paul Nicholls-trained Black Corton, a prolific winner normally ridden by Bryony Frost, who holds a Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National entry.

The top-rated entry is Nicky Henderson’s Terrefort, twice a Grade 1 winner last season, who has a BHA mark of 159.

Paul Nicholls could have a strong say in the feature race of the day, the £50,000 Edinburgh Gin Premier Hurdle.

He’s three-handed at the entry stage, with smart juvenile Pic D’Orhy, Getaway Trump and Southfield Stone.

Nicholls won the event in 2016 with Le Prezien.

Five-time champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson could saddle Dream Du Grand Val, a winner on Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle card recently.

Aye Right represents Jedburgh trainer Harriet Graham, while Elvis Mail could run for the Kinneston stable of Nick Alexander.

The second race on the programme, a 2-mile Novices Steeplechase, is named for Nick Alexander’s late father Cyril, and was won by the stable’s Clan Legend when the race was last run in 2017. There’ll be no Kinneston runner in this year’s renewal but neighbouring Lucinda Russell could run dual Kelso winner Alizee De Janeiro. Russell could have numerous chances on the valuable card, which carries £163,000 of prize money, including the J. P McManus-owned Grand Morning in the final race of the day, a £12,000 handicap hurdle.

Twice a late withdrawal recently, this could be the ideal opening for a horse who completed a hat-trick last spring. Nicky Richards’ Glittering Love has a more recent winning sequence as he struck for the third successive time at Ayr in early February.

The gates open at 11.30am on Saturday and the first race is due off at 1.40pm.

It was a spectacular weekend for trail running in the beautiful Scottish Borders, according to the Lauderdale Limpers running club.

Three of the group’s members took part at Glentress in what is a tough, hilly course, on a superb array of forest trails, perhaps more renowned for

mountain biking.

Neil McPhee (02:01:09 ), Naomi Cressford (02:35:24) and gents’ captain Frank Birch (03:03:16) ran exceedingly well in the 21k Half Marathon, while Dean Whiteford put in an exceptional effort, winning the 10k Trail race on Saturday in 00:37:53.

Congratulations also went to Jamie Entwistle, who won first senior male in the Glentress Duathlon series.

Saturday also saw ladies’ captain Jenny Hartley finish the Bamburgh marathon in an impressive 3 hours 49 minutes, fifth lady on the day.

On Sunday, the monthly breakfast run took place, starting at the Greenhouse Café in Melrose.

Over 30 runners enjoyed a stunning and demanding route, taking them first around the Eildon Hills, then across moorland to Cauldshiels

Loch before returning to Melrose via Rhymers Glen.

Thanks have been expressed to Rachel Mac for organising such a memorable run, the Greenhouse Cafe for excellent welcome and food and, most of all, to all who ran.

Melrose Waverley Tennis Club has been presented with its Live Borders club accreditation award.

The Live Borders club accreditation scheme is designed to reward local sports clubs in the Borders which have been assessed as being safe, well organised and effective in their local communities.

The committee of Melrose Waverley Tennis Club applied for the accreditation and was successful in its bid, following an assessment by the club development team at Live Borders. It was presented by club development officer Lori Lee.

Council chiefs have turned down a plea to help foot the bill for this year’s Hawick Reivers Festival.

The festival, held in March each year, has expanded considerably over the last few years and now attracts more than 2,000 visitors to the town.

However, it struggles to make money due to offering access to many of its events for free, so its organisers are forced to keep asking public bodies for funding.

Hawick Reivers Association, the organisation that runs the festival, applied to Scottish Borders Council’s Teviot and Liddesdale community grant scheme for £5,000 to spend on gazebos.

The group was previously successful in landing a £5,000 grant in 2017 and used that money to buy 10 gazebos used during the festival and also loaned out to local groups for free, but it says it needs more to satisfy demand.

The association also received a grant of £3,000 from Hawick’s common good fund in December to help cover the festival’s running costs.

The application to the Teviot and Liddesdale community grant scheme was heard by members of the council’s executive committee on Tuesday, and they voted to refuse the application.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar told the committee: “They seem to have had substantial funding from the council in the past.

“It’s in the report here that they don’t actually need the gazebos – they could make do with what they have – so I cannot see any reason for them to apply for this, and I’d move to refuse this application.”

Galashiels councillor Euan Jardine added: “It’s a very important festival, but I don’t think that the festival is going to fold.

“I don’t think the gazebos are going to fold the festival, and I think that’s an important factor here. It’s still going to go ahead, and I don’t think it’s going to make it any more successful having extra gazebos.”

That decision sparked a backlash from Hawick councillors keen to back the event.

Speaking after the meeting, Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall said: “I am bitterly disappointed that the council’s ruling executive has thrown out this application, and I’m sure that the reivers festival committee are feeling the same.

“It’s very sad that it had to come to a committee outwith the town to decide in the first place.

“The reivers festival attracts hundreds of visitors, many staying for two nights in the town, and this year, for the first time, a large contingent of Irish visitors will be made welcome at the festival, so I was particular taken aback to witness Mark Rowley, the portfolio holder for economic development, not voting in favour of such a fantastic initiative.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer added: “I am astounded that the executive committee rejected the reivers festival bid for a £5,000 community support grant.

“This money was to help the continued development of a highly successful event that draws visitors from across the world and helps increase footfall in our high street.

“This grant is specifically targeted at the Teviot and Liddesdale area, and the net effect of this ludicrous decision is that the money will in all likelihood be returned to the council pot and spent in Gala or elsewhere in the Borders.

“This was once again an example of decision-making by councillors with little knowledge of understanding of the consequences.”

This year’s festival, the 15th, will be held from Friday, March 22, to Sunday, March 24.

Go to www.hawickreivers.com for details.

Two proposed affordable housing projects in the Borders have been put on hold in the face of opposition from residents.

Scottish Borders Housing Association plans to demolish garages and build six new three-bedroom homes on land at Queensway in Earlston and a further five three-bedroom properties in Mossilee Road in Galashiels on a garage plot and two car parking sites.

Both schemes have raised the hackles of residents and community groups.

In the face of that opposition, the applications have now been withdrawn to allow the association to take stock of the issues at stake, with the intention being to resubmit them at a later date.

The schemes are being drawn up at a time of high demand for houses in the Borders, and the proposed housing would also form part of the association’s contribution to the Scottish Government’s target of creating 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.

However, residents of Mossilee Road and nearby Mossilee Crescent say the loss of car parks would have a detrimental impact on them and force up to 30 vehicles into kerb-side spaces.

Similarly, people living in Queensway raised concerns at the loss of 12 parking spaces to make way for new homes.

The housing association is now reviewing its plans for both locations.

Ali Wear, a development officer for the Selkirk-based social landlord, said: “The intention is to withdraw the application at Queensway, similar to the withdrawal of the Mossilee application, and take stock of the issues and objections raised and rectify them before re-applying.”

Another association bid to build four affordable homes for rent on another garage site in Heriotfield, Oxton, is being recommended for approval by members of Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee next Monday, however.

The proposal for four two-storey houses at Heriotfield has angered neighbours of the site, particularly those in Justice Park.

They fear the properties would tower over houses there, offering a clear view into their bedrooms and bathrooms.

Justice Park resident William Loneskie, one of numerous objectors to the scheme, has accused the housing association of adopting double standards by not putting its Oxton application on hold too.

Mr Loneskie said: “I’m disappointed that they have not taken on board the views of the residents.

“A precedent has been set with the development in Mossilee Road in Galashiels and Queensway in Earlston,

“I don’t see why the residents in Oxton have to be deprived of garages so that two-storey houses can be built which will greatly diminish the quality of life of the people who live in Justice Park.

“I think there is a question of fairness here.

“They are somewhat similar developments and the same principles should be applied, I would have thought.

“I think it is a question of double standards.”

Tracey Alder, secretary of Galashiels Community Council, described the decision to withdraw the Mossilee Road application as “definitely the right move”.

She said: “If this car parking was taken away, it would be absolutely horrendous for the residents. There would be nowhere to park. We had 30 people attend the community council and they were all adamant this application was wrong. It’s definitely the right decision to withdraw it.”

Fellow objector George Birbeck, of Queensway, Earlston, described the association’s decision to withdraw its housing bid in the street as “a step in the right direction”, adding: “Personally, I can’t see it going ahead even if they re-apply.”

A 62-year-old man has been ordered to be of good behaviour for the next nine months at Selkirk Sheriff Court after being involved in a dispute with a neighbour.

David Broadbent pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Gairhouse, Stairlaw, in the Ettrick Valley on December 15.

He also admitted causing or permitting two dogs in his care to jump on his neighbour.

A man has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work at after admitting theft by housebreaking in Kelso’s Eschie Court.

Rhys McGregor, 25, of Eschie Court, pleaded guilty on indictment to breaking into a flat and stealing jewellery, clothing and cosmetics.

Sentence was deferred at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on co-accused Brian O’Boyle, 27, of Rosewood Gardens, Kelso, until March 18 for a criminal justice social work report and restriction-of-liberty order assessment.

A man has been issued with a supervision order for causing a disturbance at his mother’s home a day after being released from prison.

Lee Dickson, 25, of Bannerfield Drive, Selkirk, pleaded guilty at the town’s sheriff court to committing that offence on November 21.

He was placed under supervision as part of a 12-month community payback order.

His 270-day jail sentence was for causing a disturbance at Galashiels transport interchange and various breaches of court orders.

A teenager has been ordered to pay £1,600 in compensation for damaging property at a house in Melrose.

Greg Faris, 18, of Hawthorn Road, Galashiels, admitted wilfully or recklessly causing damage to the property, in St Dunstan’s Road, and smearing blood on bedsheets on April 14.

He also pleaded guilty to being in possession of ecstasy at Galashiels police station, an offence for which he was fined £70.

Faris lodged £460 at the bar as a first payment towards the compensation order.

A teenager involved in a bust-up with police officers has been ordered to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work.

Daniel Hunter, 18, of Penman Place, Galashiels, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to shouting and swearing and acting in an aggressive and abusive manner on December 2 in Melrose Road and Penman Place in Galashiels and in a police car en route to the town’s police station.

Selkirk Federation Area Bowling Competition took place in Kirkhope Hall last Sunday.

Special mention was madeafterwards of the umpiring team of Sandy Cumming and George Jack, who gave up their Sunday afternoon (and Six Nations Rugby one at that!) to make sure the event ran smoothly.

Eight teams, from four institutes, took part, culminating in a decider between Fountainhall B and Ettrickbridge A.

Fountainhall were the eventual winners.

Both teams now go forward to the Regional Final in Castle Douglas on March 23.

A 25-year-old man has been given a one-year community payback order with supervision for causing a lunchtime disturbance in the centre of Earlston on Monday, November 5.

Shaun Murray stripped to the waist during that incident and was armed with a dog lead, but Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that no one was injured.

He was arrested by the police and then made threats against the officers and their families.

Murray, of Newtown, pleaded guilty to charges of threatening and abusive behaviour and obstructing police.

Selkirk trainer Stuart Coltherd maintained his run of success this week by saddling winners on consecutive days at Carlisle and Ayr race meetings.

On Sunday at Carlisle, Stuart’s son Sam piloted Budarri to victory in the Racing TV Handicap Steeplechase at odds of 11-2.

This was the 20-year-old’s 40th career win, and the six-year-old gelding’s second victory in four weeks.

At Ayr the following day, Graystown – ridden by Irish jockey Brian Hughes – won the Tennents Raceday Handicap Steeplechase at odds of 7-2.

It was the seven-year-old gelding’s maiden win on only his fourth run over fences.

So did the double victory come as a surprise to the Clarilawmuir-based trainer?

“The horses all season have been going well, knocking on the door, so to speak,” he said. “Of course, having two winners in two days was very satisfying but I wouldn’t say it was a surprise.

“I thought Graystown was down to a winnable handicap mark, while with Budarri, it was a question of whether he could follow up his Newcastle victory and keep progressing, which he has done.

“This has certainly been a busy season for us. Our stables are full, and the biggest challenge is trying to keep all our horses fit and healthy.

“Touch wood, things have been going pretty well to date, so long may this continue.”

Meanwhile, another horse from Stuart’s stable, Captain Redbeard, is among a top-quality field – containing all three of Scotland’s contenders for the 2019 Grand National – lining up tomorrow (Saturday) for the £60,000 Belhaven Brewery Premier Chase at Kelso.

Aintree’s hero in 2017, One For Arthur, Lake View Lad and Captain Redbeard are all reportedly good to go in the most valuable fixture of the weekend.

Stuart Coltherd said: “He (Captain Redbeard) is in tip-top form and it’s a good race on our doorstep.

“He beat Definitly Red nicely at Kelso last time and the plan is to go at his stage.”

Hawick were happy to have last weekend’s free-entry friendly with Gala, to keep the match action going ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) return to the league programme.

The side heads for Goldenacre tomorrow to resume the league quest against Heriot’s – and is travelling with some confidence.

“We’re looking forward to Heriot’s,” said head coach George Graham. “They are a very strong side but we have beaten them there before, so we just need to make sure we go there confident and do the things we do well.”

Hawick’s last full game was in mid-February against Stirling County in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup.

“We played quite well in the first 20 minutes and then we fell off, but we managed to do enough to win the game (31-27),” said Graham. “Then we had a week off, which was not the best, but we managed to organise the friendly game with Gala, which was very beneficial. We used a lot of young boys to have a look at them.”

Graham said the game, which Hawick won 26-10, kept a lot of the players interested, as a number of them had not had much recent game time.

“I think it was good run out for both teams,” said Graham. “We did some good things but we also did some poor things.

“However, I think you will always get that when you’re playing a game which has no bearing on what happens in the league.

“But it was a good run out, it kept the boys going, and we’ve had good training sessions this week too.”

Graham added: “History has told us Hawick don’t do particularly well when they have time off, as we saw after Christmas when we played Edinburgh Accies. We were very much off the pace and very lacklustre in our approach to it.

“But we’ve done our best to keep the boys ticking over, athough it’s hard. We were very fortunate to get the game against Gala.”

The Robbie Dyes’ next match after tomorrow is not due until March 23, so Graham hinted some additional activity or extra practice games may be arranged.

Tomorrow, Hawick would pit themselves against a team likely to finish in the top four, said Graham, so they were working very hard to make sure they put on a good show for the fans.

There was another proud moment last Saturday for George and the Graham family when his son Gary entered the fray in Paris during Scotland’s ill-fated Guinness Six Nations Championship against France, for his second international cap.

Gary, plus ex-Hawick player Darcy Graham and the other remaining subs, only had around 20 minutes of game time, but Gary was certainly prominently involved (more on page 29).

“I was very proud to see him get on and I think, for want of a better phrase, he did exactly what it says on the label,” said his dad. “He is very direct, doesn’t take a backward step, and I think that’s pretty much what Scotland needed at that stage.

“Wales and Ireland have players who get under your skin and try to take your mind off the game, and I think Gary tried to do that. He carried well too and he made tackles – he gave a good account of himself. It’s up to Gregor (Townsend) now to see what happens.”

A 27-year-old man has been jailed for four months at Selkirk Sheriff Court after admitting the reset of stolen goods.

Garry Stewart pleaded guilty to the reset of a stolen crash helmet, pair of waders and satnav system.

That offence was committed at his home in Clifton Road, Selkirk, on August 28.

The court was told the police were tipped off that the items, stolen last July and August and worth £960 altogether, could be found at Stewart’s home.

Stewart is not due to be let out of prison for other offences until June 21, and sheriff Peter Paterson told him his new four-month jail sentence would be concurrent so it will not affect his release date.

Every child aged 11 to 17 in the Borders is set to be given an iPad now Scottish Borders Council has approved a new digital education strategy.

Following a vote by the council yesterday, February 28, the Apple tablets will be bought for every pupil in years P6 to S6, and they will be able to take them home.  

The devices will also be given to P1 to P5 pupils at a ratio of one for every five of them, although these will be kept at their schools.

The project will cost £15.7m over a 10-year contract with American technology giant Apple, Canadian firm CGI and XMA.

Speaking in favour of the council’s new digital strategy, East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, the authority’s executive member for children and young people, said: “The Inspire Learning programme is our game-changing opportunity to make a difference to both our young people and our teaching staff here in the Borders, empowering them to deliver forward-thinking, innovative learning to our young people.

“This is about delivering world-class technology in a tech-orientated world so that our young people can compete with their counterparts all over the world in the job market.

“There are few businesses where technology is not part of everyday life. Just look at what we’re all sat in front of here today.

“This council is taking the initiative to offer inspiring learning and putting our young people at the forefront of future workforces.

“This is a demonstration of the investment we are prepared to put into our school pupils.

“Our headteachers are waiting to embrace this digital learning opportunity, and we would be doing our young people a disservice if we don’t roll out this programme across all schools in the region.

“The Scottish Borders’ economy is heavily focused on tourism and agriculture. In both of these key sectors, the impact and growth of technology is exponential.

“The Inspire Learning programme is not about handing iPads to children and young people, it is about equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a future that is becoming increasingly digital in all sectors of the economy, including those traditional ones in the Scottish Borders.

“Our children and young people deserve to learn in the best possible facilities with world-class technology available to them. Not only that, we want to retain and attract more inspirational teachers who will lead education delivery for the 21st century in our schools. This programme is about both investing in our children and young people and our teachers to maximise the potential learning opportunities in the Scottish Borders.

“Not only does the programme open up the opportunity for pupils to learn in new and exciting ways, it also brings with it a raft of wider benefits including extra support and professional development opportunities for teachers, expansion of wifi to provide fast and reliable internet access in every school and the rollout of flexible audio visual learning spaces through equipping classrooms with wireless and efficient technology.”

An estimated 6,500 iPads will be rolled out from this August to all high school pupils and then to 2,500 pupils in P6 and P7 next year. In future years, iPads will be shared among 5,700 P1 to P5 pupils.

Before receiving their iPads, parents and carers will be required to sign an agreement outlining the terms and conditions involved.

Youngsters at Earlston High School were given a taster session with the tablets yesterday to provide them of a preview of what to expect.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the rollout:

When will my child receive his or her iPad?

The first iPads will be distributed to teachers next month so they can get to grips with them and test out the system.

S1 to S6 pupils will be the first schoolchildren in the Borders to receive their iPads, and they will be handed out to them in August 2019.

Next year, teachers of P6 and P7 pupils will be given iPads in April, and in August of that year the rollout will be extended to P6 and P7 pupils, as well as to new S1 pupils.

Can they be used to download games and other apps?

Neither pupils nor their parents will be able to download apps or games to their iPads as they will come pre-loaded with the necessary apps.

Can they be used to access pornographic, gambling or harmful websites?

Each iPad will have a block on harmful websites, and that will continue even when connected to wifi outside school. The block will apply no matter which family member is using the iPad.

During classes, the teacher will have complete control over each iPad.

Do we need wifi?

One of the reasons Scottish Borders Council says it chose Apple iPads is because the educational software can be used offline, so homework can be completed whether a family has a home broadband connection or not. Students will be given time during school hours to download the necessary materials they need for working offline.

What about charging and accessories?

Each device will come with a charger, but in the event a pupil has been unable to charge an iPad at home, headteachers will be able to make a decision on charging the devices in school.

Each iPad will also come with a robust case to prevent damage.

What happens during school closures?

Council leader Shona Haslam said that “snow days will become a thing of the past” as pupils will now be expected to complete work on their devices even if their schools have been shut due to power outages or adverse weather.

The Tweeddale East councillor added: “The Scottish Borders has skills gaps and skills drain away from the area. The Inspire Learning programme, alongside other key projects such as the Edinburgh and south east Scotland city region deal, south of Scotland enterprise agency and Borderlands inclusive growth deal all have skills and learning threads through them that will help address those issues.

“Importantly, these other major regional projects have the potential to generate significant inward investment into the Scottish Borders, bringing new businesses and employment opportunities here.

“The Inspire Learning programme will go some way to ensuring that we are developing a young workforce that will be able to make the most of these new opportunities, and not only that, that will in itself help to attract businesses to the Borders.”

On a beautiful, sunny winter’s day – but with a stiff breeze which made the course challenging – 24 Earlston Golf Club members travelled to Magdalene Fields at Berwick, to play the Captain versus Vice-Captain Matchplay Competition.

The format was Four Ball Better Ball and, after a closely-fought battle, the Captain’s team emerged the winners by 3½ to 2½.

Nearest the pin was David Gordon.

Prizes from the 2018 ‘Colin Bain Knockout’ were also presented.

The winner was Barry Nelson and the runner-up was Ivor Aitchison.

Thanks have been extended to Dougie Bain for sponsoring the knockout competition.

Our picture, from left to right, shows the line-up of Brian Hunter (vice-captain), George Cessford (captain), Barry Nelson (Colin Bain Knockout Winner), Ivor Aitchison (Colin Bain Knockout runner-up) and David Gordon (nearest the pin).

Tennis Borders concluded a winter of fun competitions for children aged nine and under with a primary schools’ team and an individual tournament over the weekend.

Both events took place indoors at Earlston High School, with the school competition running last Friday and the individual event on the Sunday.

The magic number proved to be 17, with entries reaching that number of teams, and the same number of players getting involved for the Sunday.

After lots of excellent tennis, Kingsland Primary were the winners of the boys’ and mixed events, with Earlston Primary taking the girls’ title.

In the individual event, Flo Kirkpatrick (Peebles) was the girls’ winner and Cullen Sutherland (Hawick) became the boys’ champion.

Jonny Adamson, Borders District coach, said:‘Since the beginning of December, we have met 100 kids aged nine and under from across the region, whether it has been through open days, team competitions or individual events.

“We are now starting to support these players with more opportunities in line with their club or Active School programme, offering a full range of tennis activity.

“Well done to everyone who has taken part over the most recent weekend and to all of the parents and coaches, who took the time to support and help out. It makes a huge difference.

“We’re all now hoping for great weather during the spring and summer so that we can keep the ball rolling with more outdoor events to come.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers will be submitting a team for the inaugural Over 65s League, organised by Walking Football Scotland in partnership with North Lanarkshire Leisure and Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire.

The tournament will take place at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell, with games held over an eight-month period. The first set of fixtures will be held on Monday, March 11.

Prizes include a Fair Play Team, chosen by NLL coaches and referees and awarded at the end of the season, which will be presented to the team that plays with the true spirit of walking football.

Referees will also nominate a player from each team in a match over which they take charge. The player at the end of the season with most nominations will be awarded the Player of the Year trophy.

In addition, a WFS award, based on discussions with referees and coaches will take place to identify a player who contributes most to the ethos and spirit of walking football.

Gala Fairydean Rovers competed in Scotland’s first Over 65 Walking Football tournament, held last week at Toryglen in Glasgow. Sixteen teams from throughout the country took part, with Ayr United winning the competition.

GFR’s club chairman John Hislop said: “We now have 26 regular players and 11 members of our squad are aged over 65.

“The guys are all looking forward to taking part in this tournament – but walking football is about much more than competitive games.

“It’s a great way to get and stay fit and make new friends. The sessions are aimed at men and women aged over 50 and new members will be made welcome.

“We currently play each Monday and Thursday at either Langlee Community Centre or Netherdale, between 2.30pm-4pm.”

Pictured is the squad – back row, Sandy Chalmers, Jim McLaren, John Webster, Ali Paterson. Front, Grant Leitch, Tony Peyton and Mike Bisland.