North East Parkies United make semi-final in second competitive outing

North East Parkies United showed remarkable progress in only their second tournament by reaching the semi-finals of the Peoples Ford Parkinson’s Walking Football Festival in Glasgow.

Formed in September 2024 by participants of the Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football sessions, the North East’s representative Parkinson’s Walking Football team has built steadily on their first competitive outing at the Sport Parkinson’s Tournament at St George’s Park in April.

Arriving at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre hoping to turn development into results, the Parkies made a strong start with a 1–0 victory in their opening group match. They followed this up with wins over Northern Lights and Derby County before narrowly losing 2–1 to Glasgow Life. Three wins from four secured top spot in the group.

A tense quarter-final saw North East Parkies edge past the Celtic FC Foundation side 1–0, setting up a semi-final clash with Yorkshire’s Pennine Parkies FC. Facing the reigning Ray Kennedy Shield holders – the European Cup of Parkinson’s Walking Football – was always going to be a tough test. Despite a determined performance, North East Parkies were beaten 2–0.

The squad left Glasgow with plenty of pride, having registered four wins from six matches and earned a semi-final place just months after their debut tournament, where they recorded one win and three draws from six games.

Goalkeeper Kevin Ramsey was a standout performer, saving five of the six penalties he faced across the day. His efforts earned a mention from Simon Pryde on BBC Radio Newcastle’s ‘Total Sport’, where he was nominated for individual performance of the week.

Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football sessions are open for anyone living with a neurological condition, including Parkinson’s disease, to give walking football a try no matter their ability.

Staying active is crucial to those living with neurological conditions to sharpen their nerve impulses, increase blood flow to the brain, and maintain balance, strength, and mobility.

If you or anyone you know lives with a neurological illness and would like to give walking football a try, head to: https://foundationoflight.co.uk/what-we-do/find-a-programme/programmes/walking-football-neurological/