Raith Seniors: A club for all the community

All of these issues and more are a big part of what is going on at Raith Seniors, both on and off the pitch.

The team was formed in 2015 by lifelong Raith Rovers fan Jim Harvey, who also acts as the club’s manager, kitman and media officer, as well as turning out on the pitch.

He said: “I first started Raith Seniors after completing the FFIT at Raith Rovers.

“I started the team off by playing walking football and progressing the lads back in to 11 aside football and over the years there has been more positives than negatives.

“It’s been brilliant to see the guys develop and even make some of their dreams come true playing at Stark’s Park and taken with field with some of their heroes from the past.”

The group has progressed from starting with 10 guys to over 60 now on the books with an average of 30 players a week at training depending on people’s family and work commitments.

Jim said: “We have some very good strong links in the community with both local and national sponsors.

“We have developed local partnerships with fitness instructors and sports therapists to help keep the boys fit and match ready.”

The club’s latest initiative is new cup competition in memory of Gregor Gibbons who passed away last year.

“Sixteen senior teams from across Scotland had started to compete in this years tournament,” Jim says, “it was off to a good competitive start but played in the right spirit.

“Fingers crossed this will continue later in the year.”

AS well as sponsoring a player in the Raith ladies side, the club is also trying to tackle mental health stigma in football.

“We’re offering peer to peer support and direct contact with out mental health partners,” Jim says, “we have players that had suffered really badly and since joining the team and with our support are now back in employment and no longer self harming.

From a personal point of view, it’s rewarding to see the guys become confident and stronger in their own abilities.

“As manager I’m very proud to say I’m part of this team and look forward to continuing to build what we have developed over the years.”