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Pars legend Leishman visits Sporting Memories group in Dunfermline

By Janet Torley

It was memories galore at Tuesday’s (1 November) meeting of the Sporting Memories Foundation Dunfermline Club with Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman MBE, sharing his footballing stories from years gone by with members and volunteers.

The club meets every Tuesday morning at the Abbeyview Bowling Club from 10.30am till 12 pm and this week they welcomed Pars legend, Jim Leishman who shared his tales of playing in the 70s and his spells managing the club during the 1980s and early 2000s.

The session, which is free to attend for older people from the local community, went on to regale the audience with memories from his earliest playing days as an enthusiastic 8-year-old right up to managing the Pars to some outstanding successes.

After Jim had shared his insights spanning over 45 years in football to an enthralled audience of group members, they then had their turn to share their own stories of following the Pars under Jim’s reign. The final words of the session though had to go to Provost Leishman himself when he summed up perfectly with “Memories are forever”.

Gary Waddell, Group Delivery and Practice Coordinator for Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland, said: “It‘s always so good for our members to hear from sporting legends and as always, Jim didn’t fail to deliver.”

Local man, Michael Swatton, who was the first member of the Dunfermline Club, said afterwards: “That was excellent and to hear Jim’s memories cheered up my day.”

“I love Sporting Memories as it gives me a rare chance to get out every week and meet up for some banter with like-minded folks. We always have a great time and I’d recommend the club to anyone who loves sport and a chat”

Sporting Memories encourage members every week to share their memories over a cup of tea and cake followed by fun quizzes and activities. The clubs, which are nationwide, aim to help reduce isolation and improve both mental and physical wellbeing for older people.

For more information about Sporting Memories across Fife, contact Gary Waddell via gary@thesmf.co.uk