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?
When I was a kid in the 60’s I discovered I had quick reflexes so could pull a fast save, this meant I got picked quick to go in goal. However, I’m not that tall nor do I have great physical strength so the scouts from clubs passed me by:( In the 80’s I played with mates in parks but this was before the dog fouling ban had come in so heading was always a risky decision.
In the early 90’s I played for teams within my industry this being the music industry so the NME, Melody Maker, and various record company teams, I did some goal-keeping but also choose the left back (in the dressing room) position as it didn’t require speed, I just needed to get in an attackers way and hold ‘em up. But once I became a dad in 1997 I was under pressure to be at home or at work but not on a football pitch.
How long have you played Walking Football?
In the summer 2015 I was the victim of a Channel 4 TV Doc on health, I was told to change my ways or I’ll get very ill. So I began looking at ways to get fit.
In the winter of 2016 I got talking to some dads about fitness at the local school Xmas fair and they said we play football why don’t to come along. Now these fellas were around 10 years younger than me so on the pitch I struggled to keep up so ended up in goal which with low goals I’m pretty good at but it’s not really much exercise.
One of the dads then said he’d heard of a walking football team the Guildford Saints so in the spring of 2017 I rocked up one Monday evening to be met by other dads I also knew but they were more my age bracket late 50’s into 60’s so on the pitch I went and for the first time since the late 80’s I scored a goal!!!!!!!
I can not express my thanks enough to WALKING FOOTBALL for giving me this chance to hit a ball firmly and bang it into the net, once again I was Geoff Hurst and I even did his little World Cup Final jump to celebrate:)
To prove it wasn’t a fluke, I scored another 2 and one week I scored 5. But some weeks I don’t score, if the pitch is crowded or I play more at the back and we swap keepers every 10 mins so all good.
Now here one of the players said we have another game going on down at Godalming do you fancy that? So in the summer of 2017 I rocked up there one Thursday evening and met another gang of dads and on the pitch I went, I knew I needed to impress quick but it’s not hard when you’re with people of similar skills and a pleasant friendly nature so I kept to 3 touches and passed well, then a chance came up to shot and bang in the net it went!!
So a little cheer went up and I was in the gang:) But you know, some weeks the passing doesn’t go so well and you miss an open goal so you walk away thinking ‘if only’ but no one is shouting or moaning at you coz they ain’t paying ya £300K a week or even £3k…….
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
I’ve answered this is my long answer above but it’s Spring 17.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
Twice if work commitments let me Monday and Thursdays.
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?
Both teams are men around the age of 60. But the Guildford Saints has two star lady players who are way way under 60.
On the pitches next to us are loads of school girls playing and the ladies are connected to this. Don’t go all PC on me here but it’s great to see all these girls playing soccer as back in the 60’s and 70’s girls DID NOT play football maybe not even in the 80’s.
But look how ladies soccer has now grown at a national level, so well done all ladies involved with making this happen.
When you play 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?
3 touches and no over head kicks.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
It’s amazing to be Geoff Hurst again or to pull off a Gordon Banks save, or do a long pass like Bobby Moore did:)
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
We warm up and there’s no real physical contact so injury is unlikely unless you slip or turn badly or start to run………
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
We had our first game only the other week, Godalming against Aldershot. It was a real buzz, we had 12 a side and had made the pitch twice as wide. To see total strangers opposite you was like, here we go, were going in to win!!! And we did 5-3!!
I played well but didn’t score.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
I don’t eat 2 hours before a game as you just don’t want a full stomach. Diet, as we all know is important, I eat real food, never fast food or pre made instant meals, non of that has any goodness in it.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
100% by the end of each game I feel the legs start to pack up but as the weeks goes on I feel I can walk more and faster, I also can now walk up escalators at stations!!
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
None and I’ve not seen anyone else get injured on the pitch.
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?
Don’t know.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
It’s broadened my social reach in that each team has a WhatsApp group so a load of banter goes round and I might run into some players down the high street which is great as it’s like when we were teenagers and you ran into mates.
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?
Don’t know.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Best is just playing well and scoring, worst is when the passing goes wrong and you miss a sitter……
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
Well it’s when the ball is going just that bit too fast for you to keep up, you start to break into a run, but sure enough everyone shouts out ‘RUNNING!!’ and the free kick is given. It only happens 2 or 3 times in a game so no big deal.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Just to play better, at the age of 60 I have a future in the game and I never thought I’d be saying that!! So BIG THANK YOU to all who’ve made Walking Football happen.
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?
There’s no need to feel apprehensive about first playing, everyone involved is very friendly and accepts people’s varying skill levels, just rock up and get on the pitch, no one will shout at you:)
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
They all think it’s great!! When I meet people who don’t really understand the game, I give a little demonstration of how to walk fast which always gets a laugh:)
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
You don’t need special kit, just decent trainers and a tracksuit on. Fees for me are Godalming £3 Guildford £5.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I said at the start I was in a health TV show, well here it is and it all worked out for the better in the end.
Doctor In Your House – Trailer
Doctor In Your House – Programme
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/doctor-in-your-house/on-demand/61671-001
It got 2 million viewers on the night:)
Two things I’ll say are, I wasn’t as obnoxious as it seems, they just cut it that way for effect, I knew what was coming, so drank as much as possible for effect.
Any questions I’m here.
Thanks,
Dylan White
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
