A referee from Perth took a trip down memory lane as he looked back on his illustrious career in Scottish football.
Douglas Yeats officiated at more than 500 professional and junior games in Scotland for more than 20 years (1971-1992).
The 82-year-old retired Scottish Football Association ref spoke to the to the Football Memories group at McDiarmid Park last Thursday about working at the top level in the Scottish and European game, officiating in France, Germany, Italy and Sweden.
Douglas continues to work with the Angus and Perthshire Referee Association as a referee observer and is thought to be one of the oldest in Scotland carrying out the job.
The Perth Football Memories group assists people living with memory loss conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as those experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
There are nearly 600 Football Memories groups around the country, often hosted in a football setting.
They use engaging football-themed resources stored in a memory box, such as reminiscence cards, life-size player cutouts, newspaper clippings and books, to stir memories and discussions led by volunteers.
Specsavers sponsor the boxes for the referee tour and have helped to provide some exciting new memorabilia for them such as old football boots, photographs of former referees and other essential equipment required to help run the groups.
Long-term memories can be triggered for many through the visual cues of images, videos, artefacts and discussions taking place in a small group or even a one-to-one settings, unlocking precious happy moments from the past.
Scottish Football Museum chairperson Robert Craig said: “We were delighted to welcome Douglas to the Perth group as our new partnership with Specsavers continued to demonstrate its power.
“Their continued support to the Football Memories project, which benefits the lives of all who touch it, is invaluable and helps us to carry on delivering for those living with memory loss conditions or experiencing isolation.
“Our Perth group is a great example of the benefits Football Memories can bring to its attendees, and I’m sure the participants will have taken a lot from their morning with Douglas.”
Charitable project Football Memories Scotland, established in 2009, is run by the Scottish Football Museum in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland.
Scottish FA head of referee operations Willie Collum said: “The success of Football Memories is plain to see, and this fantastic initiative – now into its second season – is one that our roster of former referees is proud to support, as an extension to our existing partnership with Specsavers.”
The Perthshire Advertiser previously spoke to Douglas Yeats about his favourite memories as a well-respected official in his time who took charge of some of the biggest games in Scottish football.
Recalling some highlights, he said: “In my third season of junior football I got every Tayside region cup final and then the Scottish Junior Cup final. That was a great reward – it was live at Hampden Park.
“With the seniors, a notable memory was having an issue trying to yellow card Miodrag Krivokapi during Hearts v Dundee United, live on television. There was a problem because of my accent and the pronunciation of his name.
“But one of the best was a Rangers-Hibs game when Ibrox’s top tier had not long been finished.
“Whoever won the game would go top of the league. Rangers won 3-2 and I remember it being a cracking game.”