A minister who played for Nairn County more than three decades ago is appealing to the public to help him set up a veterans’ football league in the Highlands.
The Rev Robert Cleland, of Ardersier, who was County’s sweeper when the club met Dundee in the third round of the Scottish Cup in 1985, hopes to get about 12 teams – as far apart as Elgin and Brora – competing during a summer league season.
His main aim is to encourage older men to find fun, friendship and fitness through football.
The initial idea is to recruit players aged above 40, but in due course the 60-year-old wants to create an over-40s league and another for over-50s.
In the past couple of weeks, the Mr Cleland has formed his own veterans side with friends in Ardersier, and wants to organise some friendly matches involving other teams across the region.
Yesterday Mr Cleland, who is currently chaplain to Nairn County, said that games will run the full 90 minutes and have rolling subs. He added: “I played in the Highland League in the 80s and there are a few guys still playing football who I have played against, so I am hoping they will come out of the woodwork for this.
“People are more liable now to stay fit and there is a number of these guys in Inverness who are still playing 5-a-side and 7-a-side.
“The main purpose is bringing men outside of the house and getting them involved with other guys.
“It’s already been a real pleasure to play with these guys. It’s great when you have people round about you and you are outside in the fresh air, and just sitting and chatting afterwards in the dressing room is a good thing.”
Mr Cleland joined the Army as a teenager and was posted to Fort George with his regiment, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
The Ulster veteran met his wife, Jennifer, an Ardersier native, while serving there, and left the forces in 1979.
He then worked at the Royal Brackla Distillery in Cawdor and later with a motor parts supplier in Inverness, before entering Bible College for three years.
Mr Cleland trained as a minister in the Baptist Church in his late 30s and moved to the Church of Scotland eight years ago, when his first charge in that denomination was his native parish of Douglas Valley, South Lanarkshire.
When the Ardersier vacancy became vacant two years ago, Mr Cleland happily moved north to fill it.
Anyone in the north interested in setting up a football team to join the veterans’ league should contact Mr Cleland on 01667 462224 or e-mail Cleland810@btinternet.com.
