Amputee Scots are currently travelling more than 150 miles for a game of football but new opportunities to play competitively could be on the horizon.

Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs have shown interest in establishing dedicated teams for players of all abilities who have lost limbs or have illnesses affecting their limbs.

Annan Athletic in Dumfries and Galloway recently ran an awareness day that attracted players from all over Scotland and Cumbria, while Partick Thistle are not far behind.

In partnership with trauma support charity Finding Your Feet, the Glasgow club's charitable trust plans to host a taster session on Sunday, February 28.

Brian Murray, who currently plays for Everton Amputee FC, will be there as a coach to provide advice and tips.

Murray, 46, lost his leg to cancer when he was ten but played football on crutches with friends in Brydekirk, Dumfries and Galloway, once he recuperated.

A lack of inclusive teams and training facilities meant he fell away from the sport after leaving school until he was recently invited to an amputee training session at Manchester City's training ground.

Great Britain Amputee Football has paved the way for players like Murray, with teams invited to play internationally, as well as appearing at the 2014 World Cup in Mexico, "the largest amputee football event in the sport's history".

"I've not got anywhere locally I can train and I have to exercise at home," said Murray.

"There have been attempts to get amputee football in Scotland in the past with no success. I don't know if it's lack of interest in the Scottish FA or if it's a money issue.

"Now I feel as though if I keep playing I'll get fitter. My job involves sitting at a desk so it’s great to have something different."

The hope is anyone with an interest in getting involved in sport will attend the event at Partick Thistle's Firhill Stadium, with plans to start up teams for both children and adults.

Already confirmed to join in is seven-year-old Keeley Ceretti, who made an appearance at Annan Athletic's taster and gave Finding Your Feet founder Corrine Hutton a run for her money on the pitch.

While Keeley has health problems that require daily medication, she has thrived in various physical challenges including gymnastics, swimming and cycling.

Finding Your Feet presented her with a specially modified bike, which she rode for the first time in April last year.

Corine Hutton, the first female quadruple amputee to scale Ben Nevis, hopes the move to establish teams for amputee players will help people "feel more positive" about their lifestyles.

She said: "Finding Your Feet is trying to help people back to all sorts of activities and football very popular in the central belt.

"I’ll try anything, I like to be alive and able to conquer challenges. I was playing football the other day with incredible players with so much control who can play keepie-uppie with one leg."

The long-term goal is to establish several teams in the Glasgow area and eventually a national league, something that looks increasingly likely as clubs including Rangers show more interest.

For players like Murray, who travels more than 150 miles from Dumfries to Liverpool to compete, an increased investment in the sport in Scotland would be welcomed.

Murray said: "People want it to be as competitive as possible - these guys want to win the same way other footballers want to win.

"You see professional footballers rolling around after a fall as if they've been shot. I saw one amputee player who fell on his face and got right back up. That's the way it should be."

Partick Thistle Community Trust has run football sessions for people with learning difficulties for the past two years.

In November, the club was approached by a parent whose son required a frame for walking, sparking a conversation on how to help other communities who"thought football wasn't accessible to them".

Trust manager Paul Kelly said: "We want to awaken an idea in the minds of people who don't consider football to be a lifestyle option for them.

"We have put a business plan together for the next three years which will include weekly coaching sessions as well as sending coaches for certificates on training people with disabilities."