The retired consultant anaesthetist, who is now 92, recently got the chance to relive his glory days at Queen’s Park, where he played for the reserve 11, the Strollers.
Current Queen’s Park coach Callum Davidson knows talent when he sees it.
“Get your boots on after this, Duncan, and you can join the training session with us?” he joked with the Bearsden grandfather, who was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium.
Duncan is living with dementia, but it does not stop him playing his favourite game. Every Wednesday, he attends walking football sessions at Toryglen on the Southside.
His daughter, Donna, explains: “My father’s always been athletic. And mixing with other people is so important.”
Duncan has lived alone since the death of his wife, Kathleen, in 2020. The couple had celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2019.
“My mother had multiple sclerosis, and they didn’t get out too much,” adds Donna. “Going to walking football has been so beneficial in terms of getting my dad out of the house.”
After the game, there’s also a football memories session, where the team and coaches sit together and talk about the game and their stories of past football matches. Duncan used to captain the Strollers.
Originally called the Second Queen’s Park, the Strollers officially came into being in July 1885.
“I enjoy playing football with other people,” says Duncan. “And they give us tea and biscuits…”
Duncan is one of 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland. He receives support through live-in care provider, The Good Care Group, which has enabled him to remain among his community in Glasgow, enjoying the activities he loves.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland released guidelines late last year calling for health and care professionals to be better aware of dementia patients’ needs, through strategies including placing more emphasis on the needs of individuals when putting together a care plan.
Once it became evident that Duncan was unable to sustain living in his own home alone, his family made the decision to have carers come and live with him, to ensure his wellbeing.
Pauline Cooper, Duncan’s carer, explains: “It’s really important for him to interact with other people after having such a busy career.
“On Wednesday morning, we take him to Toryglen Football Centre, where there is a walking dementia football group.”
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She adds: “This is his favourite activity. He was once Queen’s Park Strollers captain, and he still loves to organise the other people who play.”
After a tour of the stadium and behind the scenes, Duncan enjoyed a cup of tea and a chat with club president Graeme Shields.
He was also presented with his own football shirt, complete with his name on the back.
“Since his diagnosis, when he’s playing football, he’s not thinking or worrying,” explains Donna.
“He’s just enjoying life.”
