AN ambitious amputee from Scotland’s national amputee football team has completed his gruelling 26-mile, six-club challenge .
Scotland goalkeeper and arm amputee Stephen Tully of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire ran between six of Scotland’s most iconic football clubs, in a fundraising bid to send the Scotland amputee squad to the Amputee Football European Championships.
He set off from Motherwell FC’s Fir Park at 6.30am, running from there via Hamilton Accies, Celtic Park, Firhill and Ibrox.
The national amputee squad is part of Amputee Football Association Scotland, a charity set up in 2017 dedicated to growing the discipline in Scotland, and the sport has enjoyed significant growth in recent years.
In November 2023, Scotland hosted Group D of the European Amputee Football Nations League competition in Fife, with attendance of more than 500 spectators and live-streamed matches.
Capturing the hearts of the nation, the squad finished third in the group, having faced teams from The Netherlands, Albania, Kosovo and Azerbaijan, to secure their place at the Euros in France.
Amputee football is fast paced, dynamic and physically gruelling on the upper body.
It is well established across the world, with leagues operating in more than 30 countries worldwide.
The Scotland squad currently plays in the Irish Amputee Football League.
The game is played on crutches with teams of seven-a-side; those in goals must have an upper limb amputation while those outfield a lower amputation.
While the charity receives financial support from Scottish Para-Football, the Scottish FA’s governing body for disability football in Scotland, the team needs to raise a further £20,000 to get them to France.
This is the first time Scotland has qualified for the Amputee Football European Championships.
Stephen, 33, said: “The run was incredibly tough – at points I was running through quite busy streets and by mile 20 everything was hurting.
“But the thought of the team and going to France was a constant motivation.
“Everyone dreams of putting on the national jersey and representing their country but so few ever get the chance to do so.
“The honour is huge and we intend to do our nation proud.”
Ashley Pedersen, CEO of Scottish Para-Football and founder of Amputee Football Association Scotland, commented: “Stephen did an incredible job today in what was a huge physical challenge.
“To see his team mates rally round and support him was fantastic.
“Para-football in Scotland is growing at an incredible rate.
“We’ve seen the cerebral palsy Scotland squad win at the CP World Championships in Salou last month and now the amputee squad will head to France for the Amputee Football European Championships.
“I’d urge the public to get behind the team and support them.”
