10 Years On The Pitch: Gainsborough Walking Football Celebrates A Decade Of Success

A thriving walking football group in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of boosting fitness, friendship, and community spirit through the slower-paced version of the beautiful game.

Launched in 2016 the group started with just a handful of local enthusiasts who wanted to keep playing as they got older. Fast forward ten years, and those modest beginnings of six or seven players have grown into a vibrant community welcoming more than 30 regulars to Monday evening sessions alone, alongside Wednesday night meetups and competitive tournaments.

To celebrate the 10-year milestone, teams from across the area recently gathered at Gainsborough’s Roses Sports Ground for a special anniversary festival. Beyond the friendly competition on the pitch, the day served as a heartfelt tribute to former player Kev Gibbon, raising an impressive £778.30 for the men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club.

Keeping the Love of Football Alive

Dave Carney, Chairman of Gainsborough Trinity Football Club, has been involved since the very first sessions and remembers how the group took shape.

“A lot of us have played football all our lives and you can get to the stage where running and playing is very difficult, which is why walking football is so good as it allows people to stay active in the game,” Dave said.

Walking Football Lincolnshire – see every listed club and session

By removing running and heavy physical contact, walking football keeps the sport safe and accessible while delivering major benefits for mental wellbeing and social connection. Hannah Lane, Community Officer for Sport and Physical Activity, helped establish the original group and reflected on its remarkable journey at the celebration.

“It’s amazing today to see how much the sport has grown. From a small group of people wanting to keep playing the game they love, it has developed into something that brings people together through football and friendship,” Hannah said. “It’s about much more than what happens on the pitch – it’s the chance to stay active, make connections and feel part of a community that makes walking football so valuable.”

Fighting Loneliness Through Sport

That welcoming atmosphere is echoed across the wider region. Luke Craig, Football Development Officer with the Lincolnshire Football Association, highlighted how the game helps combat social isolation while keeping adults active.

“Walking football is great because it appeals to all ages,” Luke said. “It’s often associated with older adults and it’s great helping those in social isolation and those wanting to keep active or to get back into the game.”

Ten years on, Gainsborough’s walking football community continues to go from strength to strength, proving just how powerful a shared love of the game can be both on and off the pitch.

Source: https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/council-news/2026/11/walking-football-celebrates-10-years-success-gainsborough

New to the game? Find Walking Football for beginners in Lincolnshire