WALING football in Largs is back after the pandemic blew the whistle on the popular game for over 50s.

The Largs Walking Football Club was forced to stop playing as lockdown hit but has recently returned at Inverclyde Sports Centre.

Club chairman Drew Cochrane says that although changes are in place, it has been great to get back on the pitch.

He said: “The walking football club was developing into something special, so it was a blow when the pandemic stopped us from playing.

“When we were allowed to restart there was no tackling allowed and we were told to try and keep socially distanced.

“We now play outdoors on the 3G park at Inverclyde because we are not allowed to play indoors at the moment.

“All of the guys are now double vaccinated so it has been great to get back as restrictions ease.”

Drew says that although the club is back in action, the social aspect of the game is still on the sidelines due to current restrictions.

He explained: “That is so important to the people involved, but at the moment we can’t go inside to the centre because it is closed to the public.

“The café isn’t open and that is a big blow because every Wednesday we went up and had a coffee and cake session for a blether.

“You chat about football and all sorts of things and we are desperate for that to come back again, especially for the new guys who have never tasted that side of the club.

“We’ve got people who so look forward to participating. One of the guys lost his wife and he’s lonely. He says walking football is now one of the highlights of his week, so you can see what it means to some people.”

Drew is keen to emphasise that the sport is for everyone, and even a medical condition doesn’t stop many of the Largs veterans from stepping on the pitch.

He said: “We’ve got guys in the club from the age of 55 all the way up to some in their 70s.

“We have people playing regularly who have suffered strokes, heart attacks, have stents or pacemakers and some who have bad legs due to polio.

“We had a man come along who had dementia and he loved it. It really does show that walking football is accommodating to everyone.

“One of the things we preach is that you don’t have to be good at football to take part, it is all about getting exercise and enjoying some company.”