Could you start by telling us a little about your background such as if you were you a sporty person when you were younger, and how long you had a break from playing sports before you got involved with Walking Football?
I have always been into sport, was always a priority as a youngster above school, etc. Played all sports possible but football always number 1. Season ticket holder at Middlesbrough until I went to uni in London, never to return to live, but sadly always a Boro fan. I was playing vets 11-a-side football up to 52 years old years, career ended by a bad knee injury. Two years later I found walking football.
How long have you played Walking Football?
Was introduced to WF when Surrey County FA set up a session at Xcel Walton Leisure Complex in June 2014. I am a Chaplain at the Centre and a staff member knew I ran a team and was the right age group so invited me along. There were 3 of us the first week, 4 the next. Was 2-a-side across the gym!
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
After my first session I was hooked, it was far more fun than I imagined and a workout too. I thought the name was naff and that it would have to change as guys wouldn’t like it. But it is what it says on the tin…..
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions? I now take part in 7 sessions a week plus fortnightly matches before West Ham home games against the EPL opposition WF team, courtesy of sleeve sponsor Basset & Gold. This is such a treat for all the players. I facilitate the sessions which can involve managing, reffing &/or playing.
Can you let the readers know about your Walking Football sessions in regards of which age group are they for, are they male only, female only or unisex sessions?
All the sessions we run are unisex apart from the Women only session! Some regularly are mixed others not.
Sessions at Xcel Leisure Complex, Waterside Drive, Walton, Surrey KT12 2JG
Monday 9.30-10.30 for 50+ (run by Chelsea FC Foundation)
Monday 11.00-12.00 for 65+ (run by Chelsea FC Foundation)
Monday 8-9pm for 50+
Thursday 9.30-11am for 50+ FULL – no new people are allowed as the session is capped at the 60 attendees.
Friday 9.30-10.30am Women only 40+ (run by Chelsea FC Foundation)
Friday 11am-12pm Sporting Memories followed by 12-1pm Walking Football (this is run by Fulham FC Foundation)
Session at Chelsea FC Training Ground, Stoke D’Abernon, Surrey
Wednesday 10am-12pm 50+ (run by Chelsea FC Foundation)
When you play a game of Walking Football do you play to the WFA, WFS, WFU or FA rules and why did your club decide to follow those rules of the game?
We started before the WFA existed and the FA realised how big the game was becoming, so we developed our own rules based on our ethos. We wanted to be inclusive of all ability levels, ages, fitness levels and to be fun. Initially the only rule was no running. When numbers grew we moved outside to larger astro pitches and soon adapted the rules to below head height only and then to 3 touch. We found that 3 touch involved more people, reduced running and more importantly reduced contact when players tried to dribble past others. Contact has become our biggest issue as guys were getting hurt and leaving the game.
We fully support the FA rule of no tackling from behind and minimal/zero contact. For some of our less mobile players we have exclusion zones and no tackling rules. In some of our sessions we play European rules without goalkeepers as we don’t want 1 person to be standing around getting cold and this has reduced the number of finger injuries. If we have someone who wants to play in goal one of our leaders will do the same for the other team. We are flexible depending upon the age group and players that are present. The priority aim is for everyone to have fun and want to come back. Naturally if/when we play in competitions we play whatever rules the organisers state, no problem. Competitions are a bonus to our weekly sessions for those that want it, the weekly sessions are not a support to competitive teams.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
I had only just stopped playing team football and the social side of WF is the most important part for me. I am competitive but prefer our social club sessions to matches where some players play as though WF is a continuation of their footballing careers. It is in a way of course, but my understanding is that WF was started to aid health, well-being, isolation and develop social networks. I didn’t see Cups, Leagues, tournaments and Internationals listed as initial goals? I have played in all these things and enjoy to the point where some forget the ethos and roots of this new slower version of the beautiful game.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
Obviously appropriate warming up is important, especially making sure that folks are told to only do what is right for them, every injury possible will have been had by someone in our group!
Contact causes 95% of injuries. We ask players to stand off a yard and not to tackle from behind. With players only having 3 touches being patient and not making contact isn’t an issue. Having a duty of care for our fellow players is the most important element in preventing injuries. Some pick this up a lot quicker than others.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
As a club Walton have entered lots of tournaments, festivals, etc. Specifically, the monthly Surrey FA League & County Cup, Portugal Algarve tournament twice, Man City comp and stadium tour, the FA People’s Cup, the St George’s Park comp, Bournemouth Mayor’s tournament, West Ham pre game comp, Fulham Craven Cottage festival, etc.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
I used have beer after football but now it’s coffee in the Xcel café! On birthdays players often bring in cakes and very occasionally someone will bring in fruit to be healthy.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
Doing WF most days of the week I am fitter and I do think about the food I eat. Players regularly tell me how they are so much healthier, lighter and in a better mental state than they were before starting WF. It’s that feedback that I feel most encouraged by.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
I pulled a groin muscle after 2 minutes of the first game in the Man City Comp, was a long way to go from Surrey for 2 minutes! Rushing around organising our teams I forgot my own warm up, silly.
Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions, and is there a defibrillator available if needed?
Yes, we do. We have trained 16 players in sports first aid through Surrey FA. Our Leisure Centre has a defib on site but we are currently buying our own (courtesy of a generous player donation) so it is right at the pitch side every session.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
I have a new social network of about 200 guys and partners. Small interest groups have been set up by different players and include golf, music, fishing, badminton, table tennis, watching/supporting the local teams Walton Casuals, Walton & Hersham, Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Does your club or facility where you play Walking Football hold any social or charity events connected with Walking Football and if so what were they?
We run quizzes, coffee mornings and encourage folks to highlight any sponsored events they are doing. We also host a charity WF festival each year.
If you could sum up the benefits or enjoyment Walking Football brings you with a single quote, what would that quote be?
WF = Football, Friends, Fitness & Fun.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
So many best memories, 1. playing in the first IWFF World Cup for Australia (I was born there) at Leyton Orient FC this year. 2. Chelsea WF winning a tournament in Bruges. 3. The Best: Guys with dementia playing WF in the Fulham Foundation Sporting Memories/WF session every Friday.
The worst are playing against any guys prepared to hurt/make contact with others to win the ball.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Total new direction and focus as organiser/chaplain/facilitator/player/referee of this fabulous new sport.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Seeing isolated guys out of the house having fun and making friends. Plus hearing guys opening up and sharing challenges that they haven’t told others before in our chat sessions.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Playing against any guys prepared to hurt/make contact with others to win the ball.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
Yes, most of us do if we are honest. I reiterate “straight front leg & swing arms across like the Olympic walkers do” this means guys are thinking about walking rather than just rushing to win the ball.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
To introduce and welcome more people to the joys of WF and help make it accessible to guys 20+, 30+, 40+ it’s a sport for all!
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play but is nervous about approaching a club or attending a Walking Football session for the first time?
Just try it. Search the internet & local county FA website to find local sessions. Might be worth asking what rules folks play, some clubs don’t mind full contact others play no/minimal contact.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
It was shock for the families of some of our players! I was still very active so no surprise for mine.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
Our session fees range from £3 to £5. My washing bill is massive doing 7 sessions a week.
Anything else you’d like to share?
WF is the best investment in time and £s you can make. It improves, health, well being, fitness, friends, community and is lots of fun.
I totally support both fun/social local sessions and competitions/tournaments/leagues. I.e it’s fine to just want to do local sessions only without intensity and also to choose the more competitive matches where attitudes can change. Matches to me must remember the ethos of the game and players have a duty of care for each other. This football is an extra bonus and it would be great to see 90+ age categories as we keep on playing and playing….
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
