A RECORD number of teams have registered for this year’s Walking Football tournament hosted by Gala Fairydean Rovers at Netherdale next Sunday (September 15).

A total of 12 teams from throughout the Scottish Borders, East, West and Midlothian as well as Lanarkshire will take part in the annual event, including previous winners Gala Fairydean Rovers, Gretna 2008 and Hawick.

Gala will field two teams, the Reds, who won the recent tournament at Kelso, and the Whites who finished in third place that day.

The teams have been separated into two groups of six.

The draw was made on Monday in the Captain’s Lounge at Easter Road Stadium.

Former Hibernian, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Scotland legend Alex Cropley conducted the draw whilst Hibs historian Tom Wright witnessed the proceedings along with Gala Walking Football chair John Hislop and treasurer Sandy Chalmers.

Alex said: “Good luck to everyone taking part in this event. Hopefully the weather will be kind and I’m sure the tournament will be a great success.”

The tournament will kick off at 12.30pm with matches lasting 10-minutes with no break.

Mr Hislop added: “I’d like to thank Alex for taking time from his busy schedule to make the draw.

"The groups look evenly matched and I am looking forward to another great tournament.

“Entry is free and refreshments will be available so I would urge people to come along and see what walking football is all about.

“I’m sure spectators will be pleasantly surprised by the quality on show.”

Group A will consist of Tranent Juniors, Linlithgow Rose, North Lanarkshire Leisure, Tweedvale, Gala Fairydean Rovers White and Hawick.

Group B will consist of North Lanarkshire Leisure B, Midlothian, Gala Fairydean Rovers Red, Gretna 2008, Kelso, Lauder.

The top two from each group will meet in the semi-finals.