A FOOTBALL team set up for the area’s older generation welcomed a cancer survivor and volunteer of a leading charity to their session last week.

An affiliate of Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise, Townhead Strollers are a walking football team for players aged 40 to 75, and regularly take part in competitions and matches with the aim of raising money for charities who need it.

And last week the group, who play at Cumnock’s Townhead Park and who recently claimed Scottish Cup silverware in the ‘walking football’ version of the tournament, welcomed Ian Cassells – a volunteer with charity Prostate Cancer UK.

A Townhead Strollers statement said: “Ian was able to give the players a wee chat on his own experiences as a survivor and gave out some useful info and guides.

“The Strollers are having a fundraiser for Prostate Cancer UK, and players are taking part in a sponsored penalty shoot out in August and are hoping to raise as much as possible.

“One of our teammates is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

“Ian, an ex-football referee, enjoyed seeing his first game of walking football as well and commented how surprised he was at the level of play.”

The group added: “He also received a wee memento from the Strollers to thank him for popping along.”

At the weekend, the Strollers enjoyed a successful Glasgow Trophy tournament, going unbeaten in their group against Hearts 56, Dunbar, Scone, Giffnock and Motherwell before beating Hearts 98 4-0 in the quarter final.

The semi final saw the local team placed against rivals Alloa Athletic, where Alloa scored a winner in the dying minutes to send them to the final where they were beaten 3-1 by Glasgow Life.

For more information, search “Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise” via Facebook.