JIM LEISHMAN was reliving the glory days and sharing football stories from years gone by at the Sporting Memories Club in Abbeyview last week.

The Provost of Fife took a metaphorical walk down Halbeath Road to tell the members and volunteers of his highlights as a player and manager with Dunfermline Athletic.

The club meets every Tuesday morning at Abbeyview Bowling Club, from 10.30am until noon, to help reduce isolation and improve both mental and physical wellbeing for older people.

Gary Waddell, group delivery and practice co-ordinator for Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland, said: “It‘s always so good for our members to hear from sporting legends and as always, Jim didn’t fail to deliver.”

Looking back across 45 years in football, Leish shared tales of playing for the Pars in the 1970s and his spells managing the club during the 1980s and early 2000s.

He regaled his audience with memories from his earliest playing days as an enthusiastic eight-year-old right up to outstanding success in the Dunfermline dug-out, such as the back-to-back promotions that took the club into the Premier League.

Group members then had the chance to recall their own stories of following the Pars under his reign.

As ever, Leish had the last word and he summed up the session with “Memories are forever”.

Michael Swatton, who was the first member of the Dunfermline club, said afterwards: “That was excellent and to hear Jim's memories cheered up my day.

“I love Sporting Memories as it gives me a rare chance to get out every week and meet up for some banter with like-minded folks.

"We always have a great time and I’d recommend the club to anyone who loves sport and a chat.”

Sporting Memories encourage members every week to share their memories over a cup of tea and cake followed by fun quizzes and activities.

The clubs are nationwide and the sessions are free.

For more information, visit https://www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com or contact Gary Waddell on gary@thesmf.co.uk.