North East Parkies United makes strides

A walking football team is celebrating after reaching the semi-finals of a national tournament in only its second competitive appearance.

North East Parkies United, formed in September 2024 by players from the Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football sessions, travelled to Glasgow for the Peoples Ford Parkinson’s Walking Football Festival. 

The team arrived aiming to build on their debut outing earlier this year at St George’s Park – and delivered a strong performance throughout the day.

They opened their campaign with a 1-0 win before securing further victories over Northern Lights and Derby County, finishing top of their group with three wins from four. 

A narrow 1-0 quarter-final win over the Celtic FC Foundation side booked their place in the last four.

Their semi-final opponents, Pennine Parkies FC – reigning holders of the Ray Kennedy Shield – proved a difficult challenge.

Despite a determined performance, the North East Parkies ended up being defeated 2–0.

Even so, the squad left Glasgow encouraged, notching four wins from six matches and showing clear development since April, when they earned one win and three draws in their first tournament.

Goalkeeper Kevin Ramsey delivered an outstanding performance, saving five of six penalties faced and earning a nomination for individual performance of the week on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport.

The Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football programme supports people living with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, offering a welcoming environment to stay active and maintain strength, mobility and confidence.

If you or anyone you know lives with a neurological illness and would like to give walking football a try, see here.

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