First Team
ALL THE INFO | PARTICK THISTLE (H)
1st May 2024
The solicitors and estate agents have come forward to offer funding to the Amputee Football Association Scotland (AFAS) who have been desperately seeking the means to ensure that a team of players will be able to attend the England Amputee Football Association (EAFA) Championships in Limerick in March 2017.
Awareness around amputee sport has rocketed since Dundee United fan, Tommy McKay, scored a wonder goal for his side in the McEwan Fraser Legal #HomeAdvantage Challenge against Dunfermline at Tannadice.
The amazing clip has now been seen by over TWO MILLION people, with the man of the moment Tommy receiving worldwide attention. Coverage has been extensive in the UK, and beyond in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Russia amongst other countries.
On 18 March 2017, teams from across the UK will meet in Limerick, Ireland for the fifth round of the EAFA Amputee Football league. Teams competing will include Everton Amputees FC, Manchester City Amputees FC and UL Sport (University of Limerick) Amputees. However, with no previous funding available there had been growing doubt about whether the team would be able to travel.
McEwan Fraser Legal chief executive Ken McEwan comments:
“Tommy’s goal has become the stuff of legends and we are so thrilled for him. Our sponsorship with Dundee United – and the other clubs we support – has been about creating experiences that genuinely put supporters at the heart of what do. That’s because as a business we really do like to challenge people to think differently. This is why we are proud to be able to support the AFAS in their mission to take a team to a major tournament outside the UK for the first time. Tommy showed the world that a so-called disability needn’t mean any less ability, and so we wish the team every success.”
Ashley Reid, development officer at Amputee Football Association Scotland, commented:
“Tommy’s phenomenal goal has helped put amputee football in the spotlight and I hope it will encourage others to give it a try. For McEwan Fraser Legal to step in and ensure that the team will get to Ireland to compete in March is a dream come true for the players and we’re enormously grateful.”
Northern Ireland national coach Michael O’Neil has been a proud support of the amputee football team this year, even coaching the players when time permitted him. He commented:
“I first got involved with amputee football earlier this year when I heard about the pilot project being run in Glasgow. I now live in Scotland and I was keen to support a cause where I could try to make a real contribution. I was invited to take a training session recently and, having never seen amputee football being played, I admit I was unsure about what to expect, but I was blown away by the skill and speed on the pitch.As such, I am delighted that McEwan Fraser Legal has been able to support the squad’s participation in the tournament this coming March.
Tommy McKay, the goal-scoring man of the moment added:
“The reaction has been unbelievable, it’s hard to believe. I scored a goal at Tannadice and it’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life. McEwan Fraser Legal were brilliant when I explained I had one leg, and were totally supportive of me participating, and now with their support to help us get to the tournament in Limerick I’m blown away. It’s an amazing opportunity for us.
Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon welcomed Tommy to the club’s training base at St Andrew’s this week for some training and lunch with the first team squad. He added:
“I’ve since seen the goal scored by Tommy and it is incredible. Sometimes you need a moment of magic in a game and that was certainly it. We were delighted to welcome Tommy to the training ground, and even more so at the news that our shirt sponsor McEwan Fraser Legal are able to support his team in making it to this prestigious tournament.”
