A Norwich football team booked their place in the finals of an FA Walking Football national competition.

Norwich Soca Seniors sent a team in the 50+ mixed age category to compete in the regional finals, held at the Bobby Moore Sports Hub in Dagenham, Essex.

The team won the national FA tournament in 2025 and are attempting to defend it this year.

They were winners in the first round in August where they played against other Norfolk teams.

This enabled them to attend the regional finals, competing against teams from across the South East of England.

The squad for the day consisted of Gerald Vereen, Clive Walker, Darrin Pike, Dave Upton, Dan Giacomelli, Terry Hayden, Barry Wall and Colin Stevens.

Walking football is arranged in several age groups to ensure an even playing field, and in addition to the Soca Seniors, there was further representation from Norfolk with Norwich City CSF competing in the 60+ mixed age group and Norwich Women’s Walking Football Club competing in the 50+ age women’s category.

The 50+ mixed group consisted of seven teams divided into two groups, Norwich Soca Seniors being in a group with Aylesford (Kent), Clacton (Essex) and Leverington (Cambs).

Teams were closely matched reflecting the growth of the sport over the last few years.

Norwich had to come from behind in their first game against Aylesford, Darrin Pike scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

The goal coming from some intricate football around the box.

Norwich’s goalkeeper, Gerald Vereen, made a number of excellent full length saves to earn a point.

Norwich Soca Seniors sent a team in the 50+ mixed age category to compete in the regional finals, held at the Bobby Moore Sports Hub in Dagenham, Essex. The team won the national FA tournament in 2025 and are attempting to defend it this year. They were winners in the first round in August where they played against other Norfolk teams. This enabled — Pic credit: Norwich Soca Seniors

The next two games saw Norwich beating Clacton and Leverington by narrow 1-0 margins, Darrin Pike again scoring in both games.

The first goal resulted from a thread of the needle pass from Barry.

The second was a rather fortuitous shot which hit the post and went in off their keeper.

This meant that Norwich topped their group with seven points and moved into the semi-finals to play the second placed team in the opposing group, M&J Kempston representing Bedfordshire.

Norwich managed to win this game 2-0, with both goals from Dan Giacomelli.

Dan’s first was a bit of trickery to gain half a yard and then hit it low past the keeper.

His second came from a beautifully executed Cruyff turn to lose the defender and then beating the keeper in a one on one.

Aylesford had beaten Cheshunt (Herts) in the other semi final meaning that the two teams who had played out a draw in the first game met again in the final.

The final was a tense and tight affair made more so when an early shot from Norwich came back off the post.

This, incredibly, was the 8th time Norwich had hit the post in the entire competition.

Both teams were playing some good football but Norwich nudged themselves into the lead with a powerful shot from Dave Upton.

Aylesford responded with some good attacking moves but Norwich defended stoutly.

Both teams were on three running fouls at this point.

A fourth foul would result in a penalty, so the match was even more on a knife edge.

After what seemed like an eternity, the referee blew the final whistle and Norwich had won the game 1-0.

Norwich now go through to the FA. Walking Football finals at St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent on October 18.

This is the third consecutive season that Norwich Soca Seniors 50’s have made the finals, winning the tournament last year.

The players voted Darrin Pike player of the tournament for his three goals, all scored from midfield but Gerald Vereen ran him a close second with an excellent goalkeeping performance.

All players played their part however and mention should be given to Terry Hayden who hit the post four times, and on another day could have scored several.

Dan Giacomelli also hit the post some four times so could have had several more goals than his two in the tournament.

Thanks also to Barry Wall and Colin Stevens who kindly stepped into the squad following injury and unavailability of other players.

Both players more than played their part, Barry playing in an unfamiliar centre forward role and Colin representing the quality of the 60+ year old players within the club.

Special mention should also be given to Barry’s son Luca who was the team’s lucky mascot for the day.

Source: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/26538152.norwich-soca-seniors-reach-national-walking-football-finals/