Wednesday 10th of February at 10am – 12.30pm. Huntly FC have teamed up with Aberdeen FC’s partner charity Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) to deliver a Football Reminiscence session at Christie Park to help local older people and those living with Dementia to reminiscence over their times watching Huntly FC at Christie Park.

Until recently, Huntly FC had delivered the programme in partnership with NHS Grampian, however a change in staffing meant the group had to stop. But in 2015, AFCCT were awarded funding from the Life Changes Trust to support Dementia Friendly Communities across the North East. Senior Community Projects Officer at AFCCT David Smith, a local man and fellow Huntly FC supporter, was approached by Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian to ask if it is a project he would like to take on, and he insisted it would only work if Huntly FC were a partner.

Since the initial meeting, Huntly FC have agreed to support the initiative by supplying a room within Christie Park, provide tea/coffee and home bakes, and Huntly FC memorabilia to help run the session. They have also offered to facilitate a lot of the session by asking local man Pop McGregor to lead on a lot of the day. David said “Huntly FC have been brilliant, showing great willingness and support to really ensure Huntly FC are at the heart of the local community. Holding this session at the ground adds to much value to the session, as opposed to simply holding it in the Linden Centre or library for example. Just being here brings back so many fond memories for me, so it must be the same for a lot of fans in the Huntly area”.

Huntly Vice Chairman Gordon Carter said “We are delighted to be developing a close working relationship with Aberdeen FC Community Trust. We plan to develop Health and Wellbeing Community Projects at Christie Park and this Football Reminiscence Group is the first such initiative”

AFCCT deliver a host of dementia friendly initiatives across the North east, with Health Walks, Gym sessions, and Walking Football being amongst the sessions delivered across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. Football Memories is also delivered at Pittodrie and this is the first time AFCT have delivered the scheme in partnership with a Highland League Club.

The session will look at old photographs and pictures of Huntly FC including previous glory years, former players and managers, and the changing landscapes of the town around Christie Park. The sessions are delivered in partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, NHS Grampian, AFCCT and Huntly FC.

The session is free of charge, and places can be booked by calling Gary MacBeath at the Linden Centre on 01466 792502