Fanx reminisce about footie

For they are part of a newly-formed football memories club in Cumbernauld, know as The Ant09ers.

The club aims to encourage social interaction and vital mental stimulation through reminiscing and talking about football games, stats, facts and results, both past and present.

Ann Jones, one the project’s organisers from Cumbernauld Action Care for the Elderly (CACE), said: “The men have created their very own network of mutual support, From the football related-knowledge and memory games we play to visiting various football grounds, these exercises can all have a beneficial impact for people living with dementia, in terms of mental stimulation. We’ve also seen shy men drawn out of themselves and friendships forged between members who’d be otherwise isolated. There’s laughs and real camaraderie and the men are finding solace in each other’s company.”

The football memories project was set up as a pilot scheme under the nationwide Reshaping Care for Older People (RCOP) programme. RCOP is geared to helping growing numbers of older people over 65 to continue to live full, positive and independent lives in the community. With additional funding having been secured from Awards For All, the pilot project is to be rolled out to Kilsyth in the New Year.