1) Background
Name: Brian
Age: 63
Location: Uckfield
Walking Football Club Name: Local Leisure Centre
How long have you played Walking Football? 18 months
2) Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
New to area, a challenge.
3) How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
None at moment, due to long term injury, sustained in WF.
Once a week, prior.
4) Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
It’s great, at first, then personalities and egos get in the way.
5) What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
I do mini trampoline running and callisthenics at home, twice a week.
6) Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Yes, Worthing Leisure Centre competition.
7) Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Cut down on beer, quantities of foods.
8) Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
I did; I was exhausted, gasping in early sessions, but soon improved.
WF, is a pretty good workout!
9) Have you had any injuries playing and if so what were they?
Hand (fingers bent back, saving in goal).
Leg; deliberately kicked full force, in front of shin, causing large haematoma and subsequent infection of leg ( not clear, after seven months).
10) Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions?
I presume the Leisure Centre had one.
11) Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
I went to local football matches with one if the players, but he went wierd and stopped giving me the lift, then caused the injury to my leg.
Met for one meal after last Christmas, but felt largely marginalized, they hadn’t bothered to confirm my seat with the restaurant!
12) What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
I love all aspects of play, passing , helping others to score, scoring.
Other players egos, selfishness, cheating ( running, fouling, cynical win at all costs attitude, odd bit of violence, punching, barging, foot stamping.
Largely the fault of individuals bad attitudes, but also the failure of the Leisure Centre to provide supervision/refereeing, even though they run the activity.
13) How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
It did give me more confidence and I used to look forward to the weekly sessions, but the unpleasant individuals, running, cheating, rough play and, ultimately, the injury (deliberately) inflicted on me and the no care attitude of the other players, means I won’t be going back to this particular session.
14) What do you like most about Walking Football?
In theory, is a fantastic concept, I really like it and have enjoyed playing, when a clean game is happening.
15) What do you like least about Walking Football?
Clean games are rare, cheating abounds, no refs, egos, cliques, injuries, under age players totally skewing gameplay.
16) Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
It did take time to learn , with everyone pulling me up on this and then, when I learned the concept (just keep one foot on the ground at all times, don’t be tempted to run to reach that loose ball, or to stop that player on the opposition, who has fairly and skilfully made a break and move on goal, it’s just cheating and ruins the game and causes frustration and bad tensions.)
Then the ones who called out, started running and jogging and driving me crazy!
17) What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Find a session, where it is supervised, for players safety and refereed, for fair play.
18) 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?
Try it a few times, then you will find out if they play fair, or cheat; if latter, then move on!
19) What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
Worried about the injury; shouldn’t have happened, of course (no contact).
20) What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football?
If memory serves me , around £4
21) Anything else you’d like to share?
I wish Councils, who outsource their recreational facilities to private companies.
Would ensure that they run their sessions properly and safely
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
