I qualified as a referee in 1965 and officiated in the Somerset FA region as a referee up to Somerset Senior league until 1975.
We moved to Zambia in 1975 where l was appointed as a senior referee in the Zambia FA and officiated in the Premier League primarily in the Copperbelt region games which were mostly on a Sunday to attendances of over 15000 spectators all very enthusiastic supporters.
After a period l was appointed referee training officer and took on the task of training local referees to officiate in the lower leagues and start their refereeing career.
The highlight of my refereeing in Zambia was to officiate with a FIFA referee as linesman when Zambia played the Nigerian national team in a warm up match for the African Cup.
How long have you played Walking Football?
Played for approx 2years.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
Saw an advert in the local free paper and thought it was a good idea to get some extra exercise.
As one of Walking Footballs more experienced referees, can you tell the readers which competitions you have refereed in & have they all been in?
I have refereed in the regional finals in Yeovil x2 and Clevedon regional finals.
Also officiated at the National finals in Cirencester.
In 2017 l was invited at officiate at the Almelo City Cup in Almelo Holland.
What made you decide to become a Walking Football referee?
After playing many sessions there was an opportunity to referee a local competition which progressed to further competitions as mentioned.
Often now my local sessions enjoy having a referee officiating which l do if there are enough players.
We recently ran two quizzes on Walkingfootball.com. The first quiz was based on the FA Walking Football laws of the game, and the second on the WFA Tournament Rules of the game. Out of 81 players for the FA rules, only 2 people achieved 100% scores and out of 47 plays on the WFA rules, the highest score achieved was only 78%. That was achieved by just 3 players. Do these stats highlight the difficulties you face when refereeing a game, and if so, what plans are you aware of to help improve players knowledge in the future?
There are some occasions when even the basic laws are not understood, ie, some did not realize that walking is over the complete pitch not just when with the ball.
I can also understand the results as some of the rules can be questionable especially if you play in competitions when differing rules apply.
It would enhance Walking Football if the same rules were played throughout all areas and competitions.
Do you feel you currently have enough support and backing from the official bodies who have created the rules and what plans are in place to help support Walking Football referees in the future?
I do not have a lot of contact with official bodies but when l do officiate in competitions l consider the support I get to be very good.
To be involved with any future plans would be of great interest.
Which set of rules do UK competitions that you have been involved in use, or is there a mix of all of them?
Generally a mix of all of them with some additions and some deletions, at start of play we usually have a chat with all the players to ensure they understand the rules we are playing.
What rules did you have to officiate with when refereeing games in the Almelo City Cup in Holland? If they were different from the UK rules, who created the rules you used?
We use the rules as used throughout Holland, no exceptions which differ somewhat from the rules we play in the UK.
Major differences, strict NO contact, strict walking, ball height not above waist height, smaller goals no designated goalkeeper, no shooting at goal within your own half, kick ins can be taken and dribbled in by the taker not necessary to pass to another player but cannot score from kick in.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
I try to participate twice a week subject to availability.
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?
We have over 50’s but most are over 55 and 60 or older, we do have a female regular player, all our sessions are unisex.
When your clubs plays a game of Walking Football do you play to the WFA / WFU or FA rules and why did your club decide to follow those rules of the game?
We usually play to the WFA/WFU changing on some occasions for open days, not really sure why a decision was made to play these rules.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
It is always good to play any contest friendly or otherwise and the mix of players of all abilities is good fun.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
Zero contact, stopping play when a player falls or trips.
Have you played in any competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Played in several competitions Bristol, Didcot, Reading, Salisbury.
Most are friendly tournaments or Peoples Cup.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Generally had a good diet so cannot really say that my diet has changed other than drink a lot more water.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
Yes definitely always feel great after an hour run around, even if refereeing as l tend to move around a lot.
Much more flexible and good to get out of breath several times in a football session.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
Fortunately have not had any injuries to date, hope it continues.
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?
Not sure if we always have a first aider, l had first aid training some two years ago.
Some of the locations we play at do have a defibrillator.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
Enjoy some social meetings with others who play and wives of players also meet and chat on some meetings.
An annual trip to the Almelo City Cup in Holland a great social event.
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?
A limited number of events have taken place in the past but not a great deal.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Best: Meeting new friends and enjoying social football and Holland trip.
Worst: Nothing that l can really say under this heading.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Just enjoying some exercise in a friendly atmosphere.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
I enjoy refereeing and helping people enjoy it without injury where possible.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Playing outside in the pouring rain.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
It is difficult at first but after practice it is easy just keep one foot on the ground at all times, pass the ball find space.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Help apply the rules strictly in order that older people play without the worry of injury which is often the concern of many older players.
What are your goals for the future when refereeing Walking Football? What would be your dream match to referee?
I enjoy refereeing any match and if l can help as many as possible new to Walking Football it would be great, l would love to be involved in any future development in the game.
My dream match, any competition, any match, l have been fortunate to officiate many excellent games in Association Football and Walking Football.
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?
Turn up at a session and have a look chat to anyone attending, try it out and if you find it too physical say so, this is not how it should be.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
Very supportive and you are only old if you think you are!
I have refereed teams with much older players who have played younger players who fast walk all over the place whilst the older ones just pass the ball around much to the frustration of the younger ones, they may not win but winning is not all.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
Session fees are £2, boots for 3/4G from £25 – other kit is normal casual wear.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Just enjoy the sport it is not about winning just participating and having some fun and exercise.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
