Two years after founding West Dunbartonshire’s first walking football team, Phil Dawson is stepping down.
But he won’t be hanging up his boots just yet.
In late winter 2018, while the Beast from the East raged outside, Phil and a small group of local players met up in the sports hall at Vale of Leven Academy to form Vale of Leven Walking Football Club.
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Fast forward two years and the side had more than 25 players pulling on their boots on Argyll Park’s astroturf.
It was not an easy journey, however, with a lack of numbers in the early days leaving Phil questioning whether it would catch on.
Reflecting on his time at the helm Phil, who is planning to move to Morecambe, said: “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster and there were times where we were really struggling to attract players but we’ve flooded social media and we’ve had a fantastic response.
“It’s been a lot of hard work but I’ve really enjoyed doing it.
“At our last session it was two degrees, pouring with rain and we had more than 20 people turning up just wanting to play football. It’s absolutely fantastic. I never envisaged having 20 people there. To have 25 players a week is incredible. We’ve got those turning up on a regular basis now.
“We’ve now got the pool of players that mean I don’t have to worry about getting 12 together to play indoors. That was a concern up until about a year ago.
“I love to see the guys who came along at first still being excited going along, getting their boots on, having fun or enjoying the banter.
“It’s still as good as when I started it. I still get the same buzz.”
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While what happens on the pitch is important, Phil said the social impact of the team off the park means more to him.
He continued: “It’s more than just football. If I haven’t seen someone who plays with us for a few weeks then I’ll give them a call and just check that everything is alright.
“A 30 second chat before the game is far more important than what happens on the pitch.
“It’s not just football. It’s a community looking after each other.
“Even when we’ve had players who are injured they turn up to see the other guys.
“We’ve had a player who moved to Liverpool but whenever he’s up he makes a point of coming along to play.
“I said to the players that the reason that happens is because of them. They have made it a very special place to be.”
And a move back down south for Manchester United fan Phil certainly does not mean hanging up his boots.
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He said: “Down in Morecambe they have two sessions a week and Lancaster City have sessions too so I’ll head along to those and see how competitive they are. I want to have fun first of all but they also have to be competitive.
“If they don’t work for me then there’s the Fylde Flyers and Fleetwood Town, who aren’t far from me either.
“I hope I won’t be hanging up my boots for good.”
He is assured the club will continue to grow under long-serving player Stephen Lang.
“I believe the future is still bright. The guys are all still keen and we’re coming into lighter nights and longer days” he added.
“My son Alistair is staying here to do his apprenticeship as a roofer with West Dunbartonshire Council so I will be popping back to make some cameo appearances at the Vale again.
“Some would say I’ve left a legacy behind but I wouldn’t go that far. I just wanted to help people enjoy the beautiful game again.”
Anyone looking to get back out on the pitch when sport restarts can contact Stephen Lang on 07756 484355.
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