A LOCAL captain in the Salvation Army has become the first rugby league chaplain in Scotland.

Ian Arthur is delighted to combine his passion for spreading the word and his love of the game with Glasgow Rugby League.

The 39-year-old, who is based at King Street in Port Glasgow, had played rugby since his college days but resumed playing just before lockdown after a break of more than 10 years.

He said: "I have been playing with them for a year.

"I was sports chaplain with Morton and when that ended and I was getting back into rugby, the whole chaplain thing seemed the natural thing to do."

It's a whole new beginning for both Ian and the club.

He said: "I'm the first rugby league chaplain in Scotland.

"It's a young club, we only managed to get a kit for the last season of the year.

"This season is the only second season we have played together.

"I love the idea of combining the two things I love doing - it's about looking after people.

"I'm their first port of call, offering spiritual and emotional mentoring support for stuff going on off the field, family relationships, illness financial worries.

"I am there for the guys for a chat afterwards in the pub or coffee shop and I'm a player as well.

"It's good for me too as it means I can give something back to the club."

Ian, who hails originally from Royston in Barnsley, has loved in Port Glasgow for more than six years and loves the sense of community here.

He is married to Hattie, a nurse who also worked for the Salvation Army, and the couple have four children.

The rugby team trains at Glasgow Green in the summer and at Townhead Community Centre and Nethercraigs Sports Complex.

If anyone is interested in joining Ian or wants to support the club, it's AGM is at 3pm on November 6 at the Howgait Pub in Glasgow.