Lanarkshire football players set for transplant football tournament

Scotland’s Transplant Football Team, made up of players who have received life-changing organ transplants, is preparing to compete in the Four Nations Transplant Football Championship later this month.

The tournament, which will be held on May 29 and 30, includes teams from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and will take place at Ross County's ground in Dingwall.

Scotland's Transplant Football Team will compete in the Four Nations Transplant Football Championship this May (Image: Supplied)

Many members of the Scotland squad hail from Lanarkshire, with players from Bellshill, Cambuslang, Lanark, Motherwell, Wishaw and Viewpark.

The team is managed by former Motherwell player and ex-Bellshill Athletic boss Johnny Fallon and trains regularly in Hamilton and Motherwell.

Michael McGregor, a 54-year-old defender from Bellshill who received a kidney transplant in 2022, explained that the football is not the most important part about the tournament.

He said: "It’s about highlighting the importance of organ donation and ensuring as many Scots as possible are signed up to give this potentially life-saving gift to someone.

"Due to a genetic kidney condition, I was on dialysis for two years and received great care at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie before my transplant.

"The operation gave me a new lease on life – the difference in how well I felt after it was like flicking a light switch."

Michael's wife, Liz, volunteered to donate one of her kidneys but was not a match.

However, he ultimately received a transplant through the waiting list.

Michael, a father of three, said: “Liz went into a cross-matching system so she could donate to another person and I’d get a transplant from someone else.

"It was a really generous choice on her part.”

Michael with wife Liz and children Micaella, 22, Mark, 20, and Owen, 15 (Image: Supplied)

Michael celebrating after his transplant (Image: Supplied)

During his recovery, Michael began playing bowls and met members of the football team.

The team was formed just two years ago and comprises players who have received kidney, liver, or heart transplants.

It is also actively encouraging greater female participation, with only one woman currently in the squad.

The upcoming Four Nations tournament will also serve as preparation for the Transplant Football World Cup in Germany this September, where around 15 countries are expected to compete.

Michael and Liz (Image: Supplied)

Teams from Spain, Italy, Chile, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will join Scotland at the international event.

Though Michael, who plays right back, admits he has not scored a goal in a competitive match, his focus is more on the need to increase organ donations across Scotland.

Scotland's Transplant Football Team will compete in the Four Nations Transplant Football Championship this May (Image: Supplied)

Organ donation remains a critical issue in Scotland.

People aged 12 and over can legally choose to be organ and tissue donors, and from age 16, individuals can formally register their decision to opt in or out.

If no decision is recorded, it is assumed that the individual consents to donation after death where appropriate.

NHS Lanarkshire continues to raise awareness and encourage people to make their wishes known to family members.

Decisions can be registered and more information found at organdonation.scot or by calling 0300 123 2323.