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?
Dispensing Optician that supports the mighty Wigan Athletic and still a punk rocker (no we are not dead yet, we just stand at the back with our zimmers).
From an early age watching my GK hero’s, David Harvey, Ray Clemence and of course Peter Shilton every Saturday night on Match of the Day, I decided I too was going to be the “looney between the sticks”! I played for local grassroot teams and at the age of 14 was invited to trials at a football club, sadly upon entering the room a chap came up and said “hold up your hands” he measured them and I was told then and there my hands were too small and I left!
I continued to play until I found at the age of 17 I could get served at a local pub, that pretty much ended my footy career, several years later I was playing again for the same pub in the local league. I moved to Wigan and was playing there until the age of 32 when a serious injury ended my playing days, I managed to fracture Fib and Tib in three places, it needed three operations and I was off work for ten months.
My daughter at the age of 6 started to play footy, and guess what? She too is a keeper, when she joined a team I was asked to help with the coaching so took my Level1 and then went on to get my FA GK badges and now I coach local GKs the correct technique not the “You Tube one”.
How long have you played Walking Football?
I have now played for 3 years.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
It was the coaches at some teams that when approaching 50 they took the mick about me playing Walking Football like on the advert, after a while I decided to look into it and took part in a session in Blackpool, the rest as they say is history.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
Because of work I can only play once a week at the session run by BFC Community Trust. I have just made the decision not to play in competitive football.
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?
Our sessions are unisex from the age of 50, our players have worked alongside Blackpool FC Community Trust to make the sessions safe and friendly for all abilities.
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?
I believe our club has adopted bits from all, our main priority is safety so all players can enjoy the game and don’t worry about injuries caused by being too physical. It’s all about INCLUSION.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
First has to be banter, there always seems to be plenty of that. A team that plays as a team has a buzz of working together to achieve the result, ( one down side is having to listen to Les Turner singing songs from the North East).
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
Warm ups! We really need to get the muscles and joints flexed, wearing correct items like shin pads, pads for knees and elbows and of course respecting fellow players.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Yes, I have played in EFL National cup, 1st year as runners up then the following year making the important save in the penalty shoot out against Nottingham Forrest to win it. We also play in the Lancashire League run by our friends at Fleetwood, The FA Peoples cup amongst others organised by clubs. I have always enjoyed competitions but sadly I have stopped, over the last couple of years I have seen an increase of physicality and some threatening behaviour. I think we are all hoping for better things in the future.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Not really, I have always eaten fresh food, I have an allotment and we keep chickens, the only thing I have cut back on is the beer. I also have Hypertension, genetics of our family.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
Yes, although I cycle a lot (around 13 miles per day) football uses different muscle groups, an important part of playing is the mental side, I believe this participation is important for mental health as well as physical.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
Two main injuries, the first my right foot slipped and caused a 2nd degree sprain of my ankle, took around 8 weeks before I was back again. Second one was a broken thumb, last year in the grand final I broke my right thumb in the first game, had to play 4 other games after with it as we had no reserve keeper (hard us keepers).
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?
As a licensed FA coach I am trained with emergency first aid and the use of the defib, The sports centre we play at has one available, also the BFC Community staff are also trained.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
Yes, I have met some great people, not just at the club but from other clubs too.
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?
Yes we have several social days/ nights throughout the year.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Winning the EFL National Cup. Worse memory by far was watching a game in cup round a couple of years ago where there was zero respect, elbows, scissor tackles and fists being thrown!
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
It has given me peace! (get away from the Mrs for a couple of years)
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Playing is the best part, banter a close second.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
The disorganisation and as previously mentioned the way competitive games are now being played! I am hoping the FA will give it the time it deserves and give us a game that is safe and enjoyable to play and grow.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
Not really a problem for us keepers, however I do play out with the grumpy lot from time to time and yes I do fall foul of that rule. Best advice? Keep one foot on the ground (laughing).
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
To continue to play for as long as I can and encourage others to play.
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 go and watch then join in, like me I was amazed how good it is. I have managed to talk some of my patients into playing and they keep thanking me for giving them the idea.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
They think its great and are always asking about it.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
Our session with BFC are £4, we then pay for some tournaments and share petrol etc, trainers, shin pads are the important part but you don’t need to spend a fortune.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
