AMPUTEE FOOTBALL TASTER SESSION

Dundee United became the first club in the east of Scotland to embrace amputee football on Sunday when the Club hosted an open training session at the GA Arena. Dundee United die-hard one-legged man Tommy McKay (32), who shot to fame when he scored a wonder goal in the McEwan Fraser Legal #HomeAdvantage Challenge at Tannadice in November, was there to showcase his skills alongside fellow players.  To top it all off, Club Captain Sean Dillon took time out of his schedule to show his support. The session was held at the GA Arena and was organised by Amputee Football Association Scotland in partnership with Dundee United Community Trust. Awareness around amputee football has rocketed in Scotland since Tommy’s goal. The clip was viewed by more than TWO MILLION people on social media, with the man of the moment Tommy receiving worldwide attention. Tommy, who lost his leg at nine years old to bone cancer, subsequently scooped the highly coveted SPFL Goal of the Month award, presented to him by Dundee United gaffer Ray McKinnon, and was invited to enjoy a training session with the first team at Tannadice. On Sunday Tommy was back at his home ground alongside fellow amputees and budding footballers from all across Scotland to bring the sport to Dundee with a view to establishing an east of Scotland team.  Since his infamous goal at Tannadice, Tommy has developed an enviable fan base and on asking Sean Dillon to support the session, the United defender, who recently celebrated his testimonial match at the Club, had no hesitation in coming along. Tommy’s super strike put the plight of new charity, Amputee Football Association Scotland (AFAS), into the limelight, an organisation for which Tommy has since become an invaluable ambassador. There is currently only one amputee football team in Scotland, namely Partick Thistle Amputees in Glasgow, where Tommy currently trains. The team was set up by AFAS, a charity launched in October 2016, to develop the sport north of the border.  While provision is made for disability football of varying disciplines by the Scottish Football Association (SFA), amputee football had not previously existed in Scotland.  However, AFAS has seen a surge in demand for the sport and there is now a well-established junior and senior squad in the west enjoying fortnightly training sessions with Partick Thistle Community Trust. Gordon Grady, Community Manager at Dundee United Community Trust, commented: “We’re excited to be supporting Amputee Football Association Scotland in developing the sport in the east of Scotland for the first time. When Tommy scored his wonder goal at Tannadice, it put the spotlight on disability football, something we are hugely passionate about at Dundee United Community Trust. “Sunday’s session has been a great success with players attending from across the east of Scotland - and to have Sean's support was a huge boost to the players. We’re excited about the prospect of working with Amputee Football Association Scotland to develop the sport here at Dundee United Community Trust.”  Ashley Reid, executive director of Amputee Football Association Scotland, commented: “Tommy’s heroics in the Home Advantage Challenge at Tannadice captured the imagination of the world and put the spotlight on amputee football and Amputee Football Association Scotland.  It was particularly special to bring the sport to Dundee United and to have Sean here supporting the players, given that so much of the excitement around amputee football started right here. "Our intention is to create teams across Scotland with a view to building an amputee football league and we’ve been delighted by the turnout on Sunday.” Anyone wishing to find out more about playing amputee football should contact Ashley@amputeefootballscotland.co.uk or visit the Amputee Football Association Scotland website at www.amputeefootballscotland.co.uk