After launching on a trial basis just last year, the new Cheltenham Walking Football League has rapidly expanded across Gloucestershire, with more than 16 over-50s and over-60s teams now involved in the growing sport

What started as a few mates having a kickabout 10 years ago has now grown into nine over-50s and seven over-60s sides across the Gloucestershire region.

The growth of walking football over the last five years has been exponential, with the UK now boasting more than 1,000 registered teams nationwide.

John Hunt and Roger Cottle have become the driving force behind the expansion of the over-50s and over-60s game in the area.

The original organiser behind Cheltenham’s walking football team was none other than the Robins’ record goalscorer and club legend, Dave Lewis.

Lewis scored 290 goals in 522 appearances for Cheltenham Town across three separate spells spanning almost two decades, from 1967 to 1983.

Hunt and Cottle used to travel to Evesham, Worcester and Bristol to play walking football together before deciding the area needed its own league.

As chairman of the Cheltenham Football League, Hunt used his connections within local football to help establish a new competition.

It was only last year that the Cheltenham Walking Football League was launched on a trial basis so Hunt and Cottle could see how successful it could become.

What started as a few mates having a kickabout 10 years ago has now grown into nine over-50s and seven over-60s sides across the Gloucestershire region.
John Hunt and Roger Cottle have become the driving force behind the expansion of the over-50s and over-60s game in the area.
The original organiser behind Cheltenham’s walking football team was none other than the Robins’ record goalscorer and club legend, Dave Lewis. — Pic credit: Cheltenham Walking Football League

The league proved to be an instant success, with 10 over-60s teams taking part in a full summer season at Oxstalls Sports Park in its first year alone.

Hunt, who has been running the Cheltenham Tigers Walking Football team since Covid, trains at the Tigers Football and Rugby Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

One of Cheltenham Tigers’ star players is former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cheltenham Town favourite Mark Buckland.

Buckland made more than 50 appearances for Wolves during the 1980s, scoring five goals.

The league now boasts nine over-50s sides and seven over-60s sides, with May 31 marking the first time both age groups will play together.

Cottle has also helped organise Cheltenham Saracens, who play at Oxstalls, while also supporting Tuffley Rovers teams in both age groups.

The over-50s division includes Atletico Ross, WR United, Tuffley Rovers, Quedgeley, Swindon Town Development, Monsoon Allstars, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham Saracens and Wotton.

Cheltenham Tigers compete in the over-60s division alongside Abbeymead, Alcester, Wotton, Tuffley Rovers, Stroud and Atletico Ross.

Cottle’s current involvement with Saracens and Tuffley Rovers also aims to raise money for prostate cancer charities.

“We’re hoping to set up a continuous league starting in September if we can find a venue with four pitches,” Cottle said.

“That’s where we’ll hopefully be able to raise even more money for charity.”

Tuffley Rovers have only been going for a few months, but interest in the team has already grown rapidly.

“We have around 22 players now, so it’s really blowing up!” Cottle added.

The over-50s and over-60s cup finals will take place at Oxstalls on 16 August.

Source: https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cheltenham-walking-football-league-goes-10989645