HARRY Kane, Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Charlton are some of the greatest England number nines to put on the shirt – and now you can add Elsecar man Alan Davies to that list.
The 71-year-old might not be as famous as the trio just yet, but after bringing home the World Cup for the England over 70s’ walking football side last week, he perhaps should be. His achievements have put him on the map as a key player in the England over 70s’ community.
Alan can now proudly say he’s the only Barnsley man to ever win a World Cup with England after this month’s tournament win in Spain.
But where did his walking football career start?
He told the Chronicle: “I’m 71 now but I’ve always played football right through my life.
“I’ve never stopped.
“Some years ago a friend of mine started a walking football team called Barnsley Leggy Mambos and there were all local lads who got together playing.
“We went nearly 80 games unbeaten with that team.
“You’re spotted in competition and then invited to go on trial with England.
“If you progressed through the trials, then you got into the England walking football squad.
“That’s how it’s developed.”
England over 70s’ Alan Davies
Alan currently plays for the England over 70s’ team and has just returned from the World Cup tournament at the Torrevieja Sports Village.
- Celebrate grandads who excel in Walking Football with this bold, vibrant design featuring a proud colourful message, perfect for players, referees, coaching staff & tournament organisers of senior soccer & family pride
Last update on 2026-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Walking Football Limited is also an Amazon Associate and earns a commission from qualifying purchases
And after scoring 16 goals throughout the tournament – including four in the final as England beat the Netherlands 9-1 – he returned to Barnsley this week as a World Cup winner.
He added: “We played against Japan, we played against Netherlands and Italy and the Basque Country.
“We beat Italy 3-1 in the semi-final and then the Netherlands 9-1 in the final.
“It’s been quite a large tournament.
“England’s ladies over 40s won their World Cup over there at the same time.
“Our England over 50s’ walking football team won their tournament as well.
“So we were triple winners.
“There were 650 people there apparently so it’s a momentous occasion to promote walking football.”
Alan performed so well that the Japanese team were asking for his photo at the awards’ dinner last week.
“At the gala dinner we were presented with our medals and the World Cup,” he said.
“I went well into double figures with my goal scoring so I was one of the leaders there.
“I was eating my dinner and all the Japanese came over and wanted all their photographs taken with me.
“They were just saying ‘England number nine, England number nine’ because that’s my number.
“They were all asking me to sign their programmes.
“It was a real experience.”
Alan says it was a really proud moment to wear the England shirt.
He added: “You never think you’re going to be playing in a World Cup tournament when you get to 71.
“It was amazing to wear the number nine.
“It was quite surreal in a lot of ways.”
Source: https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/33577/alan-stakes-a-claim-for-englands-top-marksman
GET MORE WALKING FOOTBALL NEWS HERE: https://walkingfootball.com/blog
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
