1) Background
Name: Dave Smith
Age: 52
Location: Newton Le Willows
Walking Football Club Name: Enjoy Football/Livewire
How long have you played Walking Football? Since April 2016
2) Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
I had to pack in playing mainstream when I was 45 ( Goalie) to have spinal surgery and everything I did to get try to get fitter was impact related so I couldn’t do it.
I heard about walking football from a friend whilst sitting on a plane to France and it seemed like a good idea so I went along and got the buzz back.
3) How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
Varies.
As I own my own football coaching business( long story for another day) I also run sessions myself for various groups (disabled sports and other social groups).
So if the sides are even, I officiate and coach.
If not I play so would generally say 2-3 times a week.
4) What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
Plenty of warm up exercises and stretches.
5) Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Yes.
Played for Livewire in the Cheshire tournament in 2016 which we won ( first ever cup winners medal) and runners up in a tournament in Wallasey.
6) Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Not really as I have to have a good and balanced diet as I’m borderline diabetic.
7) Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
Yes I do.
It has helped in my rehab following the spinal surgery.
Before I started playing, I couldn’t keep the muscles going enough so had to keep having injections.
Now I just get the occasional aches an pains from working hard on the pitch and from thinking i’m still 30 playing in goal.
8) Have you had any injuries playing and if so what were they?
Damaged left shoulder in a tournament from flinging myself to a ball I shouldn’t have got to but did.
9) Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions?
Yes …Me
10) Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
I think it has yes.
Through playing and now working in walking football I’ve met a lot of new people who I would now call friends.
11) What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Easy – the last second tip over the bar in the final to win the Cheshire tournament.
Missing the penalty in the shootout to lose the final at Wallasey.
12) How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
It has been a life changer and now forms part of my work.
13) What do you like most about Walking Football?
The camaraderie, helping people to realise that they can still play and getting them back out there.
14) What do you like least about Walking Football?
The uncertainty of the rules causing unnecessary arguments and over aggressiveness, no need for it in this game.
15) What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Just to keep on playing and improving as best I can.
16) Anything else you’d like to share?
It’s a great game and when played in the right spirit be it competitive or for other reasons it brings people together for the right reasons.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
