The Arbroath walking football team has been given an important boost after securing sponsorship from one of the town’s well-known local firms, Mackay Boatbuilders. This new partnership is the start of a huge moment for this team that has gone from a small group of players to one of the most community-driven sports clubs here in Angus.
The events capture everything, from laughter, encouragement, and a genuine sense of belonging. Walking football has grown steadily across Scotland in recent years. The slower version of the game replaces running with walking and focuses on enjoyment, health, and social connection rather than intensity or pace. It has proved particularly popular with players aged over 50 and with those returning to football after injury.
The Arbroath walking football sessions run every Wednesday evening and welcome men and women of all ages and fitness levels. What began as a small get-together has grown into a lively, good-humoured club that offers far more than a weekly workout. Many participants describe their hour on the pitch as the highlight of their week. Some are lifelong players rediscovering their touch, while others are new to the sport entirely. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive, and the emphasis is always on inclusion.
Modern football, even at the community level, increasingly connects with the online world. Players and supporters often keep up with results, fixtures, and local sports news through their phones. They also explore mobile platforms such as the best betting apps to follow matches, check odds, or track other games taking place across the country. While walking football itself is firmly non-competitive, these same digital tools help people stay engaged with the wider sporting scene and share their enthusiasm for the game.
Club organisers say the sessions have grown because the focus is on people, not performance. The rules are simple and designed to reduce impact on joints, but the competitive Gayfield spirit remains. The game has rekindled a passion many have for football that had faded over time, and for others, it’s a social lifeline that brings regular exercise and friendship together.
For Mackay Boatbuilders, backing the Arbroath walking football team is simply a way of giving something back. The new sponsor has been part of the town’s fabric for decades, and it has a long record of supporting local projects. The company’s help means the club can keep its costs low and make sure everyone who wants to play has the right kit and equipment.
The new shirts have given the team a real sense of identity. For the players, wearing a sponsor’s logo from a respected local business adds pride and recognition, a sign that the wider community appreciates their commitment.
The Arbroath group forms part of a wider walking football network across Angus and the north-east. Teams meet for friendlies, charity fundraisers, and social tournaments that draw players from different towns and backgrounds. These events show the shared benefits of staying active and maintaining social contact later in life.
After each match, there’s time for tea, conversation, and plenty of humour. For many participants, those small moments off the pitch matter just as much as the goals scored on it. The club has helped several players build confidence and find new friendships after retirement or health challenges.
With sponsorship now secured, organisers plan to expand participation further. Some of the upcoming plans include taster sessions for beginners, outreach to local community groups, and partnerships with other sports initiatives found around Arbroath.
Grassroots sports depend on volunteers, small sponsorships, and friendly local support. The Mackay Boatbuilders partnership shows that even support, even at a basic level, can help a lot. By giving the team some smart new kits and additional help, the company has now bolstered one of the town’s most positive social pastimes.
Sponsorship allows the focus to remain on what’s most important: people playing the game and supporting one another. The new kit is a symbol of teamwork and pride for Arbroath players, and for the town, it’s a sign of a strong communitarian spirit in Arbroath.
The walking football team now hopes to build on this success and the strong spirit they had over the summer this year. Organisers are looking at different options to host open evenings and friendly tournaments that bring together different age groups and clubs from around Angus.
The Mackay Boatbuilders’ sponsorship has already lifted spirits and given the club a much more professional feel to it. We are seeing here how business and sport can work hand in hand to improve community wellbeing and connection.
As the players gather each Wednesday, kitted out in their new tops and exchanging jokes before kick-off, the sense of pride is unmistakable. It’s local football at its most genuine, friendly, and welcoming, and it’s played for the sheer love of the game.