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 been out of sports for a long time due to injury to my knees playing football at a young age but after cartilage surgery a few years back. I heard about Walking Football at FC United and began playing there.
After a couple of years there I decided with a few friends shall we set up locally on our own and the rest as they say is history and up begins Dynamo Droylsden.
How long have you been involved with the running / management of the club?
I began with Sam and Craig at the start approx 3 months ago. We had 6 players, 3 a side.
We now have between 12/ 14 per Monday night session.
Why did you first get involved with helping run your Walking Football club?
After playing at FC United I enjoyed it so much that I knew this was the way forward for me plus my legs now aint what they use to be plus I have put on weight over the years.
When was your Walking Club formed?
We are a very new club so only been about 3 months but going from strength to strength.
How many hours per week do you spend on club related matters?
1 hour on a Monday at session playing plus behind the scenes varies from week to week just when I get spare time really.
Looking for friendlies? Tournaments? Ordering Kits? Advertising?
Is your club funded in any way and if so, how did you achieve securing these revenue streams?
Yeah we got a council grant from Droylsden East and Droylsden West council for our kits from there community fund to which we are very grateful.
They were only ordered recently so not here yet.
They should arrive by end of April.
Does your club follow rules of the game created by any official body / association? If the answer is yes, why did you decide to follow those association rules?
We got a referee to come to see us from Curzon Ashton WF team and he explained the rules but said we are following them anyway from our previous experience at FC.
How many regular players attend each session and how quickly have numbers grown since the club was formed?
Started with 6 now 12/14 so on the up.
If your club plays a competitive game, rather than one of the weekly Walking Football fitness sessions, do you see any change of attitude in respect of competitiveness in the players?
I think they may get more competitive but unaware yet as we have only just had sessions our first friendy is in April.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
I generally do feel fitter I seem to be slimming down slightly plus seem to have a little more energy.
Have you had any injuries playing and if so what were they?
I cracked my ribs at FC as I dived whilst in net and landed on the ball plus at the start after a couple of weeks my knees were giving me a bit of grief but since then touch wood only minor things.
Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions?
Yeah me and Sam are first aid trained.
Has your social life changed since you became involved with Walking Football, and if so in which ways?
Not really I knew a few of the people in the team anyway.
What are your best and worst Walking Football memories?
Best football memory was Brighton away in the FA Cup with FC united of Manchester.
Worst Football memory was losing the play offs season after season to get into the Conference North.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Made me become a more outgoing person.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
I with the knees I have now cam get involved and enjoy it rather that trying to play standard football and lasting about 10 minutes.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Nothing the game is really enjoyable.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
At the start yes.
But eventually it becomes natural. The odd times I do put a bit of pace in, if this happens I get pulled for it and hold my hand up to acknowledge… yep I know.
What are your goals for the future regarding your Walking Football club?
To enter tournaments and put Dynamo Droylsden Walking Football team on the map.
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?
Give it a go.
Everyone is welcome to join and our club any ovet 18, ability or sex are allowed.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
As I am only 40 they think its good for me plus I am happy playing the sport I enjoy.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play / run your Walking Football club?
£4 per week per player subs as we have a long lease with the pitch hire so we get a discount and pay £28 per week.
The rest will go towards tournament fees, travel to away games etc.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Samantha Coates and Craig Clarke have been amazing and have really help us move this forward between the 3 of us this is finally getting off the ground and startung to gain momentum.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
