A WALKING football festival was held in the Wee County in memory of a “big, cheery chappy” who died earlier this year.

The festival took place in Tullibody on Sunday, August 1 in memory of Arthur Duncan, who passed away on January 21.

Arthur died of a brain tumour and the festival was organised to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

At the time of writing, the event had raised £1,100 with more money due to come from auctions and donations.

Davy Reynolds, who coached Arthur in walking football, remembered a great man who cared more about others than himself.

Davy said: “It was about 2014 when he joined the walking football. [I’d] set up a session at Tullibody Civic Centre and a few boys turned up.

“Arthur probably came to the third or fourth session and as it became more formal, he joined Walking Football Scotland and became our representative.

“He was also on the Alloa Round Table, he’s always been involved in community projects.

“He was just a big, cheery chappy who was great to be around.

“He’d always come to a session and ask how you were, never talk about himself but always make sure everybody else was alright.”

The group had been planning a football festival for months but because of the Covid-19 restrictions they couldn’t organise it safely.

“We had been talking about it for ages, but because of Covid we couldn’t do it.

“To be honest, he wasn’t a lover of the competitive side of it. He was more about the inclusion; if there was ever a new member he was always the first one over to make sure they were alright.

“He always had a smile on his face.”

Gary McLaughlin, Walking Football Scotland chair, was in attendance on the Sunday and also paid tribute to a man who

“It becomes cliché but it’s all true with him: he really was a gentleman. An awesome big guy who was very well respected throughout, not just the Forth Valley community, but across Scotland.

“He was always at the heart of any festival, wherever it was, he was always there.

“He just cared, he cared passionately about walking football. Not the competitive side of it but the health aspect.”

Arthur, a graphic designer, designed the current Walking Football Scotland logo and before he passed away he signed over the copyright of the logo to the group.

Gary continued: “Everybody knew him, he was a big, friendly chap who was helpful to everybody.”