How long have you played Walking Football?
6 Months.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
Steve Chitts asked me a few times since I started doing a 3 day week and I thought why not.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
Once a week on a Friday afternoon.
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?
The session I go to is for the over 50’s and is on a Friday afternoon 2-3, it is open to all genders to play.
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?
We play to WFA rules.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
It’s a great feeling being together with like minded people who not only enjoy playing football but enjoy a social as well.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
I learn’t the hard way.
It’s important to warm up and even try to do a bit of stretching in the week as it seems to help.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Played in 2 tournaments, the 2017 Barnet Invitation Cup and the Kingsmaid Cup in Manchester, coming 1st and 3rd respectively.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Not really.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
Maybe a bit but the knees certainly feel worse for wear which is why I stopped playing regular football, but it’s worth it.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
In the first 4 weeks I pulled various muscles each week but warming up and stretching seems to have helped with injuries.
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?
Yes, we are well equipped at Barnet FC.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
Yes met some new people and met up with some old friends who I’ve played football with for years, and there’s this guy called Shaun who is constantly contacting me on social media 🙂
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 they do.
One event was for Macmillan Nurses and another for the Alzheimer’s society.
We also hold a major event for a chosen charity with a Games evening at The Hive every season.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Worse was I kept getting injured in the first few weeks of playing.
Best ..Coming third in the Kingsmaid Cup in Manchester at the Etihad Campus and beating Preston North End into 3rd place (they weren’t happy).
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
It’s good to be back in football team again.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Playing football again and being with a bunch of blokes having a laugh with a bit of banter and a cheeky pint now and then.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
The two or three days after playing 🙁
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
I do find it difficult but I’m working on it.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Keep enjoying it as long as the knees allow.
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 come along and give it a go.
The crowd at the The Hive, Barnet are a great bunch of characters of all abilities and ages.
Being a relatively new member I can honestly say I was made to feel welcome right from day 1.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
They are just happy that I’m doing something I enjoy, but just don’t get the walking bit.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
Very reasonable at £3 a session.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Just to say thanks to the guys behind the scenes who make all this happen, we all know who they are.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
