How long have you been involved with the running / management of the club?
Team secretary 15 months.
2) Why did you first get involved with helping run your Walking Football club?
I initially just wanted to keep all players informed as to any events or matches.
So I collated a mailing list and the rest is history.
3) When was your Walking Club formed?
2015.
4) How many hours per week do you spend on club related matters?
Probably 6hrs.
5) Is your club funded in any way and if so, how did you achieve securing these revenue streams?
We are self funded but have great support from Barnet FC and The Hive Foundation.
Thanks to their generosity we have marvelous facilities at The Hive at our disposal.
6) Does your club follow rules of the game created by the FA or WFA? If the answer is yes, why did you decide to follow those association rules?
We generally follow their rules but with some minor alterations e.g. All free kicks are indirect.
7) How many regular players attend each session and how quickly have numbers grown since the club was formed?
We have 2 sessions.
Thursday evening 7-8pm with an average of around 16 players and on Friday afternoon 2-3pm with an average attendance of around 24 players.
So from nothing in 2015 we now have a database of 50 to 55 players.
8) 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?
Yes there is a change in attitude with matches being more competitive but they are still played in good spirit on the whole.
We make new contacts and attain mutual respect with our opponents.
9) Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
Yes I feel a lot fitter and healthier.
An example is getting out of bed I am now as nimble as I ever was in the mornings I greatly look forward to each WF session.
It has given me a new lease of life and I have made many many Good friends.
10) Have you had any injuries playing and if so what were they?
Yes I have suffered a couple of injuries both times as a result of over-stretching.
One was a knee injury which led to fluid on my knee and the other was a twisted ankle.
11) Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions?
Yes always.
12) Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
Yes it has.
I have made many new friends and we have a good chat and drink after our Friday afternoon session.
We also arrange charity evenings for local charities and an annual Christmas party.
13) What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Getting to area semi final in EFL Cup Picking up injuries.
14) How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
I have a new interest in life and I am back playing football!!!
15) What do you like most about Walking Football?
Meeting up with my new mates every week.
16) What do you like least about Walking Football?
Refereeing .
17) Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
No I do not have a problem with not running although it is a fine line and I would advise someone to keep one foot on the ground at all times.
18) What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
To play and enjoy playing for as long as possible.
My hero at our club is Sid Tobias who will soon be 82 I hope I can emulate him.
19) 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?
I would tell them that there is nothing to be nervous about as we are all there to have fun.
20) What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
They are extremely supportive and probably a little proud that I am back playing football.
21) What are the costs involved in order for you to play / run your Walking Football?
£3 per session.
22) Anything else you’d like to share?
Yes! I would like to say to people who have played football in the past not to scoff at us Walking Footballers.
If they were to come along and try they would see just how physically demanding walking football actually is.
I have never played without working up a sweat!!!!!!
Join us at:
Barnet FC , The Hive, Camrose Avenue, London, HA8 6AG
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
