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 was lucky enough in my distant youth to gain international honours for England and Wales at cricket and hockey. I played these sports into my forties with occasional 5 a side football.
I regret not playing in my late forties/fifties and took up Walking Football at aged 63.
How long have you been involved with the running of the club?
Around 2 years.
Why did you first get involved with helping run your Walking Football club?
I moved from South Wales to Herefordshire three years ago, I had retired from work at 59 and realised that I missed the buzz of playing and socialising.
It was, having moved area ,a good way to get to know new people which is less easy in your sixties in anew area.
When was your Walking Club formed?
Around 5 years ago. Our chairman Ron Goulding aged 72 and still strutting his stuff, had the foresight to start the club which became a section of Ross Juniors FC, the biggest sports club in the area.
How many hours per week do you spend on club related matters?
Between one and four hours.
Is your club funded in any way and if so, how did you achieve securing these revenue streams?
We are not sponsored, we receive shirts from parent club and with up to 23 members paying weekly subs, the finances are in good order.
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 were very instrumental in starting the first ever Herefordshire Walking Football League with Herefordshire FA this season.
Herefordshire is, in UK terms, a depopulated county and as such will never have a lot of teams. I am pleased to report we are now in a position to put two teams in the league.
As it is the FA league we abide by FA rules ( sometimes!)
How many regular players attend each session and how quickly have numbers grown since the club was formed?
It ranges but anywhere between 10 and 18.
We now have 23 players which is a very healthy growth.
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?
We hold weekly sessions which are devoted entirely to playing against each other in teams, these are healthily competitive.
When we play League games there is an increase in focus and the will to win.
I would say however that whilst we take the football seriously we never take ourselves too seriously.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
I suffer from COPD and turned up to play expecting to wander around like a latter day Hoddle! to find my limited lung capacity forced me in to goal.
Drawing on many years of keeping wicket, I found that I really enjoy playing in goal and have never looked back ( apart from picking the ball out of the net!!)
Have you had any injuries playing and if so what were they?
Playing on different surfaces and diving about like a 4 years old on acid leads to losing half your skin and bent fingers!
Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions?
Yes but currently looking to expand provision.
Has your social life changed since you became involved with Walking Football, and if so in which ways?
Some of us go for a couple of drinks after our Thursday sessions and League Games.
We have a Christmas Social and we will be looking at touring abroad next year and/or entering more UK tournaments.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Needed an interest as I had moved to a new area where I knew no-one.
My wife likes it when I leave the house!
What do you like most about Walking Football?
People who still want to remain active.
Team spirit and a healthy level of competition.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Players who really do not make enough effort to walk.
People who take themselves too seriously ( we do not have these in our club).
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
As a goalkeeper I would look a bit stupid if I decided to run.
Remember the tortoise beat the Hare!!!
What are your goals for the future regarding your Walking Football club?
As a goalkeeper I am not very fond of future goals ! but the hope that all players continue to enjoy the weekly sessions, that we do well in the League and that the club continues to prosper.
Which direction the club goes in will depend on players wishes.
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?
Go along and have a look before you decide and remember that all clubs have a mixture of abilities.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
If it means they see less of me they are happy!
What are the costs involved in order for you to play / run your Walking Football club?
Our weekly match fees pay for subs to our parent club and hire of pitches. It also covers fees for League matches.
We find that players really do not mind paying for playing .
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
