North East Parkies United bring home the cup

A North East community football team has achieved national success after an impressive run at a leading inclusive sporting tournament.

North East Parkies United claimed the Cure Parkinson’s Cup at St George’s Park, just a year after competing in their first tournament.

Formed through the Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football sessions, the team has grown from social activity into competitive sport, supporting players with neurological conditions.

The side returned to the national training centre stronger and more experienced, progressing unbeaten through the group stage before securing victories over Arsenal and Brighton.

A disciplined performance in the final saw them defeat reigning champions Northern Lights 1-0 to lift the trophy.

Player Kevin Ramsey, speaking at a celebratory session at the Beacon of Light, where the team proudly showed off their kit, medals and silverware, said: “It was a great feeling, great for the guys to get our hands on the huge, heavy trophy at the end of the day.

“There’s 24 teams at St George’s, every single player has Parkinson’s disease. 

“It was a fantastic day, even without winning it, it was very emotional. 

“For us to win the trophy, it was just amazing.

“It’s our third tournament overall. 

“We played at St George’s last year and then played at a tournament in Scotland where we got to the semi-finals.

“We’d shown some clear improvement, but our aim this time was to get out of the group. 

“We didn’t, for one minute, imagine we’d win it, scoring 14 goals and only conceding two.”

Kevin added: “I was bursting with pride.

“I couldn’t ask for a better team. It’s not just the football, but the support in life too. 

“We support each other and going through our daily issues that we have with Parkinson’s, it’s vital to have that support network.”

Teammate Adrian Wrigley added: “The team spirit was marvellous for the day.

“We learned the lessons from previous cups, and everyone joined in and did their part. 

“I think just about everybody had a little tear in the eye because of the achievement that we felt.

“It was a great day for everybody.

“The banter between all the teams and the whole community was really good, everybody was there for the enjoyment as well as the competition.”

The team’s journey highlights the benefits of walking football in supporting mobility, wellbeing and community connection.

Adrian added: “The development since the start of the programme has been immense and everybody gets a massive amount out of it. 

“Just to control the Parkinson’s and the mental health, it’s brilliant.”

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