Below are some of the key milestones in our Clubs history. From our first ever game on 4th September 2015 to date.
2015
Ricky Henderson, our local councillor, was informed by Chris Sellar of Heriot Watt University (HWU) that they wanted to introduce Walking Football to the area. Ricky knew Deric Oliver as they were both on the Committee for Currie Community Centre, so he sent Deric an email inviting him to play.
The first session on the pitches behind Balerno High School (BHS), was arranged for 17th July 2015 but had to be cancelled due to low numbers. This happened again and again but we finally had our first game of Walking Football on Friday 4th September 2015. Some of the players that day were Joseph Bruce (Thommo), Ewan Connolly, Iain Hampson, Frank McEwan, Donny McLaren and Deric Oliver.
We had to complete a form for BHS and we still have a copy of this. Deric listed Frank McBride and not McEwan as he had misheard Frank! Deric was called the Facilitator and the Club was called the Balerno Legends!
News spread about this new sport and STV turned up at the pitch on the 18th September and filmed part of our game.
2016
In August, HWU asked if we would like to move to the newly opened Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre. It was not a hard decision, play in the rain outside or move to the best venue in Scotland!
2017
Our move to Oriam meant we had to be more organised, so it was suggested that we form a Committee. Deric was voted in as the Chairman, Ewan Connolly as Vice Chair and Alan Thomson as Treasurer and Secretary. Allan Hope and Les Hughes “volunteered” to join the Committee shortly after.
We’ve had a number of Committee changes over the years but huge thanks go to our original Committee for all their hard work in laying the foundations that have allowed us to grow as we have.
Our governing body Walking Football Scotland was established and we joined as an affiliated member.
2018
Our first overseas tour took place in October when we entered an over 50’s team into the Algarve Walking Football Tournament at Browns in Portugal! Our 8 Oriam players did very well and finished 6th out of 16 teams, reaching the final of one of the 4 trophies on offer, only losing out narrowly on penalties.
2019
Our first lady player, Lesley Macaulay, joined Oriam. Lesley was our only lady player for some time but we hoped that she wouldn’t be the last.
2020
Covid made it’s unwelcome appearance and our sessions were cancelled.
We were keen for everyone to keep in touch and we saw the birth of a OWF weekly online quiz which involved much chat, hilarity and alcohol.
We weren’t able to host our ‘normal’ Xmas Night Out so there was only one thing for it – an online quiz night complete with party hats, mince pies and of course, copious amounts of alcohol.
2021
‘Normal’ service was resumed and our Xmas Night out was held at Al Borgo in Juniper Green.
2022
Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors Ltd generously sponsored our new squad kit shown below.
In April, £2,500 was raised for the Dnipro Kids Charity by four Walking Football teams from Hearts and Oriam.
The event was organised by Orry and Lawrence Nowosad, sons of Lukacz Nowosad, a founder member of the Ukrainian club. Fittingly, the trophy is now is on permanent display at the Ukranian Club.
On 23rd October our O50 squad won our first ever trophy – WFS Central Scotland O50 league.
Going into the last week of the season, we were in fourth place, 4 points behind with 4 games to play which included 2 of the teams above us, including a game in hand on leaders Hearts.
A quite remarkable day saw us win our last 4 games scoring 12 goals and conceding none. The league was won by 2 points as we celebrated our first ever league win, in style.
Willie Lumsden and Paul Rendall joined the Committee.
Our Xmas Night Out was held at The Riccarton Inn and a great night was had by all.
2023
In October Oriam Walking Football and Currie FC formed a formal partnership to provide and encourage footballing and fitness opportunities for our local communities from the ages of 5 through to 95. We called it Join the Generations.
On 18th October, Thomson Bruce set up our Oriam Walking Football Walking Group.
In October 2023, Alan Thomson, Allan Hope and Les Hughes leave the Committee with Alex Morrison and Les Morrison being appointed.
Sadly, Ewan Connolly had a stroke in November 2023. Paul was appointed as Chair and Alex as as Vice Chair.
On 1st November we opened our bank account and this was a key moment for us. It lead to the setting up of our monthly Lucky Number draw which provides our Club with a valuable monthly income.
George MacDonald was chosen as our first Oriam Person Of The Year
Our Xmas Night Out was another cracking evening and was held at the Heritage Lounge at Tynecastle Stadium.
Over the year 1975 player places had been taken up.
In December we joined our partners at Currie FC in our first ever Join the Generations event.
2024
In February we launched our Lucky Number Draw with the first draw taking place in March.
In February we launched our Thursday, squad only training session. This is used to help our squads prepare for upcoming competitive games.
Our first Club newsletter was published on 6th March.
On 3rd June two Oriam squads took place in the Tartan Teapot Tournament organised by Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, charity partners of Walking Football Scotland.
In June we chose our Club logo and motto – More than a Football Club.
In June, Ewan Connolly our previous Chair was made Honorary President of Oriam Walking Football
On 5th September our O60 squad won our second trophy – WFS O60 East Championship. Going into the last set of fixtures we were in first place with a 2 point lead and 3 games to play.
Winning 2 of our last 3 games was enough to see our squad lift the trophy.
In October, Bathing Mobility Advisory Service (BMAS) generously sponsored our new training bibs.
Currie & Balerno News Bibs article
Walking Football Scotland introduced Regional squads which we hope is a pre cursor to National teams being set up at all age groups. We were proud to be represented by 17 of our players, some of whom were part of the Regional O70 squad who won the first ever Regional Cup.
Our first AGM was held on 29th November and our Rules and Constitution were approved.
Ahead of our anniversary year, we chose Alzheimer Scotland as our charity partners for 2025.
We took part in the second Join The Generations event on 15th December with Currie FC. Another great community event
Currie & Balerno News JTG article
Another successful Xmas Night Out was held this time at Baberton Golf Club.
Thomson Bruce was chosen as our Person Of The Year.
Squad player of the year awards were made to O50 – Willie Lumsden, O60 – Willie Lumsden, O60 – Stuart Ainslie, O65 – Allan Turnbull, O70 – Paul Hulse
Over the year 3312 player places had been taken up.
2025
Player numbers continued to increase and with our growth and development plans for the Club, Annie Waterston, Stuart Ainslie and Dave Whitelaw were elected to the Committee in January 2025. Colin McCulloch joined us as Treasurer in May 2025.
In January we launched our Oriam Walking Football Book Club.
In April, Alex and Paul were interviewed by Simon McLean for Talking Walking Football, the worlds only radio show dedicated to Walking Football. Oriam WF on Talking Walking Football
On 15th April our first ever golf outing took place at Gogarburn.
On 19th April our O60 squad headed off to Portugal to take part in Eurocpa 2025. The lads did us proud losing on penalties in the quarter finals. On to next year!
Currie & Balerno News Club growth and Portugal article
On 30th April our first Ladies Walking Football session took place with 11 Ladies attending the first session. Annie Waterston and Emma Mickley instrumental in organising it all.
In May we launched our Walking Tennis Group and our Badminton Club.
On 9th May we held our John Yule Memorial event involving over 70 OWF players.
In June, a team of Oriam volunteers headed down to support Alzheimer Scotland open their Brain Health & Dementia Center at Lauriston Castle.
On 24th June we held our Club Invitational event and Walking Football teams from Hearts, Hibernian, Dunbar, Gala Fairyden, Dundee East, Pollok Utd and Stenhousemuir joined two Oriam teams for a Festival of football. £1200 was raised for our chosen charirity Alzheimer Scotland.
Currie & Balerno News Invitational article
We also donated £200 to Oriams charity, Back Onside.
On 27th July, our Ladies squad played in their first competitive tournament, the Glasgow Cup at Toryglen.
On 1st August St John Scotland delivered CPR and De fib training to 22 of our players – we made a donation of £200 to help them train more people in CPR.
On 25th September our Grub Club held their first night out at Fava Greek Kitchen in Edinburgh.
On 22nd October our Pool Club held their first evening at Marcos in Edinburgh.
On 30th October we held our 10th Anniversary Dinner in aid of Alzheimer Scotland at Tynecastle Stadium. The event was made possible due to the generous support of main event sponsors Digby Brown Solicitors, along with table sponsors Grange Wealth Management and Dickens Lounge Bar.
Entertainment was provided by the inimitable Eric Davidson and Tam Cowan and the evening was superbly compered by Calum Robertson.
Over 120 players, family, friends and sponsors joined together for an evening of laughter, friendship and generosity, and over £4000 was raised on the evening.
On 4th November we announced the welcome appointment of Emma MIckley as our new Competition Co-ordinator with immediate effect. Emmas role will be to support the TMs and their squads and ensure that their needs and progress are discussed at Committee level.
We were also delighted to announce the appointment of Alan Davis as Club Secretary with effect from 1st January 2026. Alans role will include ensuring that we meet our requirements as set out in out Constitution & Rules and maintenance of our database.
On 5th December we held our Xmas Night Out at Baberton Golf Club. A fantastic night was had by all and it was great to see the Oriam family having such a great time bringing the curtain down on a memorable Anniversary year.
We said thank you to Les Morrison and Deric Oliver who left our Committee after 12 years of combined service and awarded POTY awards to Ewan Duffy (O50), Gordon Scott (O60 2015), Kadry (O60 2025), Gordon Scott (O65 2015), Stuart Campbell (O65 2025), John Martin (O70) and Amy Pedersen-Wilson (Ladies O40).
Our Person of the Year 2025 was Deric Oliver in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Oriam WF over the last 10 years.
We also announced that we have raised the amazing sum of £6264.77 for Alzheimer Scotland over the last year.
As we near the end of 2025 we have over 130 playing members with nearly 50 new players signing up over the year.
2026
On 30th January we presented our 2025 charity partners, Alzheimer Scortland with a cheque for £6264.77 which we raised throughout our 10th anniversary year.
On 30th January our players chose Home Care & Repair Edinburgh as our Charity Partners for 2026. We look forward to working closely with them over the next year.
On 16th February we took delivery of our own portable Defib. This will complement the existing player safety procedures we have with our Oriam partners and allows us to have a Defib pitch side when playing in tournaments outwith Oriam.
It’s only been possible due to our players support of our Lucky Number Draw – thank you.
On 22nd March a hugely significant day in our Club history. Our O40 Ladies squad took part in their first League campaign at Ravenscraig under the guiding hand of gaffer Alex Morrison, assisted by Gerry Butler.
If Carslberg did League debuts!
