Plenty of positives from North East Parkies United's first tournament

There were plenty of positive signs for North East Parkies United in their first official tournament since founding in September 2024.

The team, which was born from Foundation of Light’s neurological walking football session, joined 24 other sides at St George’s Park for 2025’s Sport Parkinson’s Walking Football Tournament.

The event was split into two tournaments, the ‘trophy’ and ‘shield’, with North East Parkies taking part in the former.

North East Parkies played out a 0-0 draw in their first competitive match, before a 2-0 defeat and 1-0 victory left things hanging in the balance after three games.

Defeat to Dorset Parky Striders and another 0-0 draw against eventual finalists Phoenix 681 would halt their progression from the group stage with a fourth placed finish from the six-team group.

Parkies would have one more game to play, a play-off with Parkysaurus, the team that finished in fourth in Group 2 of the Trophy, putting on another solid defensive display to draw 0-0.

Northern Lights Liverpool, who topped Parkies United’s group, would go on to win the tournament with victory over Phoenix 681, both finalists coming from Group 1 of the Trophy.

For North East Parkies United, their first tournament would see them earn their first competitive match victory and keep four clean sheets.

Neurological walking football programme lead and team coach, Jack Ramsey, was proud of the first tournament for the newly formed side which showed plenty of positive signs to build on.

“It was a great experience for all involved at St George’s Park,” Ramsey said.

“The atmosphere around the whole day was incredible and to be at the home of English football, it will be a day to remember for our team.

“To think we only formed last September after two of our participants went abroad to take part in the Ray Kennedy Cup, the team have come a long way in a short space of time, and I look forward to seeing how far we can go.”