Community

Dundee United Community Trust Launch Amputee Football Sessions

1st December 2017

Dundee United Community Trust (DUCT) is delighted to announce the start of their amputee football session at the GA Arena (right opposite Tannadice Park). Dundee United is the first club in the east of Scotland to embrace amputee football and our first two sessions will be held on 10 and 17 of December, 9.30am to 11.30am. DUCT is inviting anyone with an amputation or congenital limb difference to get involved with the sport by trying their sessions. In the new year, there will be regular sessions held every two weeks starting on 21st of January. 

Gordon Grady, Community Manager at Dundee United Community Trust stated:

“We’re excited to be supporting Amputee Football Association Scotland in helping raise awareness of the sport in the east of Scotland. When Tommy scored his wonder goal at Tannadice, it put the spotlight on disability football, something we are hugely passionate about at Dundee United Community Trust. We would encourage anyone with an amputation or limb difference to come along on Sunday and give it a try.”

Tommy McKay, Scottish internationalist amputee footballer and winner of the SPFL Goal of the Month award November 2016 for his legendary Tannadice chip commented:

“I’d like to thank everyone at Dundee United Community Trust for launching their amputee football team. To have the opportunity to represent Dundee United is a dream come true for me and one I thought I’d never be able to fulfil. I hope that having Amputee Football in Dundee will allow other Amputees in the surrounding area to experience such a rewarding and enjoyable sport. I look forward to playing against my former team mates at Partick Thistle in the East vs West Cup as soon as possible.”

Ashley Reid, Founder and CEO of Amputee Football Association Scotland said: 

“Our aim is to provide the opportunity for anyone with an amputation or limb difference to play football at grassroots, club and national level. We're really excited to be working with Dundee United Community Trust to bring amputee football to the east of Scotland.  This will create opportunities for competitive games for the first time in Scotland and we are looking forward to hosting an East  Vs West clash in early 2018. We're working closely with the SFA to encourage as many Scottish clubs as possible to embrace amputee football and hopefully the success of both Partick Thistle and Dundee United will encourage other clubs to follow suit. We are appealing for amputees in Dundee and the surrounding area to come along on 10th December and try the sport.” 

Kevin Kelly, Scotland National Amputee Football Team Manager stated: 

“Amputee football has had a great start in the west of Scotland with Partick Thistle and it is great to see that a club the stature of Dundee United are bringing it over to the east. I look forward to seeing the sport develop even further and having some new talent available for the development of the international team too.” 

David McArdle, Disability Development Officer added: 

“Amputee Football is a great development within Scottish Football and integral part of the new Scottish FA Para-Football strategy. The partnership with the Scottish FA, Amputee Football Scotland and Dundee United will allow the sport to continue to grow and allow participants to reach their full potential.”

For any further information on the sessions please email us at enquiries@dundeeunitedct.co.uk or michael.malone@dundeeunitedct.co.uk or phone us on 01382 833166 (extension 7). Also, for further updates on our amputee football sessions, please visit us on Facebook (@dundeeunitedct) or Twitter (@dundeeunitedct).