The Eyrie to host walking football festival as Bedford’s side kick off summer with win

Bedford’s over-50s walking football side are celebrating after kicking off their summer in style with a first tournament victory of the season ahead of their inaugural Walking Football Festival on Saturday, 27 June.

Five wins, one draw and just a single defeat was enough to overhaul their competitors in the blistering heat of the Early May Bank Holiday weekend in the curtain raiser that took place at Manor Field, home of Milton Keynes Irish FC.

And the win provides perfect preparation for the Bedford Walking Football Festival taking place in familiar territory.

Invented in 2011, walking football was created in order to maintain participation levels of the older generations, and has also been credited with assisting the rehabilitation of those with serious injuries, as well as contributing to lower levels of loneliness and isolation.

And Bedford’s side has been growing ever since their inception, regularly welcoming between 40 and 50 players of all ages and abilities.

The tournament in Milton Keynes, the usual opening to the summer’s walking football competitions, saw four teams compete in a round robin format.

Teams included hosts and tournament favourites, Milton Keynes Irish as well as teams from Northampton Town, Cherwell, Swindon and Bedford.

And, just as in previous tournaments, the competition was strong in the fierce May temperatures, with Bedford eventually crowned champions, providing a stable platform to compete for their own festival title.

“After a bit of a slow start, the lads soon got into their stride and played some great football against some quality opposition, commented BWFC skipper, Andy Norbury.

“It was a fantastic team effort.

“Organising is easy, especially competing in such heat, when you have the luxury of being able to rotate players without affecting the strength and quality of the team. It’s a testament to the depth of talent we have at BWFC.”

Source: https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/the-eyrie-to-host-walking-football-festival-as-bedfords-side-kick-off-summer-with-win/

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