Three generations of family in Papa Westray football team

BBC News

06-05-2025

Grandad, sons and grandson in island football team
11 minutes ago
Share
Save
David Delday
BBC Scotland News
Share
Save
BBC
Three generations of the Hourston family played in Papa Westray's first cup tie
Three generations of one family have helped an Orkney island with a population of less than 90 take part in its first competitive football match.
Grandad Alistair Hourston, 63, and his sons Barry, Shane and Daniel all played the entire game for the Papa Westray team alongside Barry's son, 19-year-old Aidan.
Nearly every man living on the island between the ages of 19 and 63 was recruited for the match in Orkney's Parish Cup competition on Sunday.
The team - nicknamed the Doondies - was cheered on by more than half of Papa Westray's entire population - but lost 6-0 to island neighbours Sanday.
The Papa Westray football team is made up of almost all the men of working age on the island
The idea for the team came about after the island previously entered a five-a-side competition and realised there were more potential players.
However, the Papa Westray squad has to overcome a number of difficulties for any 11-a-side clashes.
The island has no football pitch so the team will have to travel by ferry to a different island - nearby Westray - in order to play a "home" match.
Meanwhile, training has been taking place indoors - or on a small five-a-side pitch near the island's only school.
For its first match, a special sailing was put on to take the team and supporters to the game and back.
The second leg of the tie will be played later in May where the team hopes to score its first goal.
The game was played on the island of Sanday
Centre-half and team manager Alistair said that despite the defeat it was a special occasion for his family - which made up nearly half the team - and the island.
"It meant a lot I must admit," he said.
"Going out to the pitch - a great sense of pride because it is a small island, there is only about 80 folk here.
"We lost quite heavily but actually the game was surprisingly good and having three sons and a grandson - it was one of those days you will never forget."
Alison Hourston and children Alma and Archie came to cheer on husband and dad Shane.
Grandson Aidan said that they had worked well together.
"I got a bit of abuse from my grandad - but it was good playing with them," he joked.
"Obviously dad has played with me out in the garden a good bit and in a five-a-side team so it's no different with an 11-a-side team, apart from a few extra folk."
Alison Hourston was at the match to support her husband Shane - and the rest of the family - along with children Alma and Archie.
She said: "I am getting very emotional about it all.
"I have been jumping up and down I have been very vocal - I think they are doing good.
"I am really proud of them, I am proud of them all."
'Discussed tactics'