Could you start by telling us a little about your background such as if you were you a sporty person when you were younger, and how long you had a break from playing sports before you got involved with Walking Football?
LOL sporty child hell no. I loved football but I was rubbish, always last to be picked for a team. In school I was made to play rugby due to my frame but I didn’t enjoy it. Always did a bit of 5 a side with mates once I’d left school, also had a stint at Skater Hockey, ice hockey without the ice. We had a great team but I was very much a bit part player but we had success winning the South West of England championship in 95. But footy was always there somewhere.
When was Alltudion, The Exiles team formed?
April 2019.
Can you tell our readers what the Exiles team is and why you decided to create it?
So Alltudion WFC (the exiles in Welsh) the Exiles team are a bunch of like minded guys, dissolutioned with all the politics of Walking Football who decided that rather than give it up we would form a team and keep the football as the only issue we want to deal with. We started with tournaments and now trying out the league.
How many hours per week do you spend on club related matters?
Depends, been really busy lately arranging new kits and things games and tournaments and jumping through the usual hoops that joining a league for the first time takes, but usually not too much. But don’t ask the same question to my wife ha ha.
Are you funded in any way and if so, how did you achieve securing these revenue streams?
We are lucky enough to have a broad spectrum of people in our organisation from business men, drivers, politicians even a pilot, we have been lucky to have some financial help but at the moment it is under wraps until we can officially announce it.
Does your club follow rules of the game created by any official body / association? If the answer is yes, why did you decide to follow those association rules?
We are governed by the rules of the league in Wales.
How many regular players attend each session and how quickly have numbers grown since the club was formed?
Tricky question…. We are from all over the country so sessions have been difficult but we are looking to set down roots real soon, again when we can announce we will.
Are you a member of any Walking Football leagues and if so can you tell the readers a little bit about the league?
The Welsh league.
If your club plays a competitive game, rather than one of the weekly Walking Football fitness sessions, do you see any change of attitude in respect of competitiveness in the players?
No, the guys I have are born winners they always give me 100% in all we do, football, paying subs, training even when I contact them. I can’t ask for better guys. They are always respectful to opposition and we have a great camaraderie with each other and whoever we play. But they are always competing, even with themselves.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
Yes I did when I played, I started about 4yrs ago. My balance was shot to pieces after a back operation about 15yrs ago. I thought that it would be stroll but I was regularly doing about 6000 steps in the 1.5rs. Unfortunately my medical issues have reared their head again so we will see what happens.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
Torn hamstring, overall working too hard within football and work and the gym. More rest and more stretching were required.
Do you always have someone present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions, and is there a defibrillator available if needed?
Again I’ll answer that with once we nail down a base but yes we have a few people who are first aid trained, and we have a portable defibrillator on standby.
Has your social life changed since you became involved with Walking Football, and if so in which ways?
Yes the guys and I try to get together as much as possible, I’ve been to one of their weddings away trips and a tour all adds up. My physiological well being has massively improved via the guys. We work holistically, IE it’s not just football but the whole thing, we have all got to an age where we all have “baggage” so we all try to help each other out in any way we can, that’s what us miss the most if we were to just stop I guess.
If you could sum up the benefits or enjoyment Walking Football brings you with a single quote, what would that quote be?
The lads in my team haven’t been my mates for long, but I hope they will be my mates forever.
What are your best and worst Walking Football memories?
Being the most successful Welsh Walking football Over 50’s Manager in history. Winning Cardiff’s Overall goal of the month, meeting new friends, our tour of Isle of Man last Yr was really special, treated like royalty. It was a truly great experience that I won’t forget.
The worst memories are mine to hold, but karma is a beautiful thing and as they say, I hope I have learnt from them.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Mainly positives, making friends, feeling younger, being part of a team, feeling like I belong to something. As for the non positives…… KARMA.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
OUR team ethic, camaraderie the like minded people I have around me.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
The politics, the bull shit, the power crazy individuals who take pleasure in making it more difficult to enjoy the game, or all about them. We are not getting younger, it should be a pleasure just to be able to play in our autumnal yrs. I have had all sorts of things happen to me since starting Walking Football and let’s just say not all good. I have only ever had Walking Football at the top of my list, to promote the game I love, and the people who really know me, know what I am about. That’s probably as far as I will go on that one.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
No. I can’t run lol.
What are your goals for the future regarding your Walking Football club?
World domination ha ha, just to enjoy the game and the people around me and my circle. The higher you go, the air smells. My guys are all I need to be happy, for me to be happy and make memories with them is golden.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to join your team but is nervous about approaching or attending a Walking Football session for the first time?
We don’t bite, we do need some players, but it’s not just the football for us, it’s the ethic, the persona, to fit in to an easy going set of guys who can play a good game of football.
If someone wants to find out more about your team, how can they contact you?
Facebook Alltudion walking football page: https://www.facebook.com/enjoyingfootballatourage/
Twitter Alltudion: https://twitter.com/alltudion
Email: wfw.martinp@gmail.com
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
Some think it’s just silly, but after winning the Cardiff City goal of the month back a season or two ago some sat up and looked at it differently. I was honoured to be the Wales manager for the over 50s, something that can’t be taken away from me and I had alot of positive comments and feedback via friends family and colleagues.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play / run your Walking Football club?
£30.00 annual membership..
Game day fees.
We are in talks to sort out kit and associated items via funding.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Just go out and enjoy the game, no one knows how long we are going to be able to do it, stay away from the politics and the crazy gangs, like Nike say ” just do it”
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
