How long have you played Walking Football?
2 years.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
After watching the Barclays advert I googled Walking Football in Wolverhampton area and happened upon Hartshill Strollers.
So now you have been nominated for an England team trial, what does that feel like and what is going to happen next?
It’s very exciting, waiting to hear when and where the trials will be taking place.
Think the process will gather momentum after Stuart,Chris and Vic meet up at the WFA National Over 60s Final at Solihull on November 12th.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
Twice a week work commitments permitting,Wednesday evening & Sunday morning.
Can you let the readers know about your Walking Football sessions in regards of which age group are they for, are they male only, female only or unisex sessions?
The Wednesday evening session is age appropriate over 50s 6-7pm & over 60s 7-8 pm.
The Sunday session is all age groups and we have one female participant.
When you play a game of Walking Football do you play to the WFA / WFU or FA rules and why did your club decide to follow those rules of the game?
We tailor this according to the rules that are being used in upcoming tournaments.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
It’s hugely enjoyable and something I never expected to be doing again when I hung up my boots.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
I do plenty of stretches and warm up exercises before kicking a ball.
Always wear shin pads even if it is only a training session.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
- WFU National Over 60s 2016 Winners
- Smiths News WF 5 a side tournament 2016 Runners Up
- Dudley Goals WF 5 a side tournament 2016 Runners Up
- Staffs Age UK WF Tournament 2016 & 2017
- FA Peoples Cup 2017
- Fleetwood Weekender Over 60’s 2017 Plate Winners
- Greater Manchester WF Tournament Heywood 2017
- Birmingham FA WF League 3rd place
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
No I was already eating healthily having been diagnosed as having high cholesterol at a well man medical in 2006.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
I lost a stone during first few months of playing Walking Football and have maintained that weight since.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
I am currently suffering some pain and discomfort in my left ankle following an accidental kick received in a training session a couple of months ago.
Hoping to shake it off before England trials come around!
Would have been worse if I’d not been wearing shin pads with ankle protection.
Apart from that just minor bruises really.
Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions, and is there a defibrillator available if needed?
Yes we always have a trained first aider present and a defibrillator available.
The importance of this was made apparent when our over 50s player Ray Woodhall collapsed on the pitch at a tournament in Kiddeminster last year He went on to have 26 heart attacks in next 24 hours a story which made front page of Sun Newspaper, pleased to say he is back playing again.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
Yes have a much larger circle of friends and our wives and partners socialise with each other too.
We go to our local pub The Mount Pleasant in Kingswinford after training and they lay on food for us.
When we played in Fleetwood made a weekend of it spending the Saturday night in Southport.
Does your club or facility where you play Walking Football hold any social or charity events connected with Walking Football and if so what were they?
We held a charity walking football tournament this year in memory of our former player Steve Bragg who died suddenly in 2016 this will be repeated again next year.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Best memory has to be scoring the last minute winner against Seaton Carew in the WFU National Final 2016,
Other good memories was scoring 14 goals at Smiths News Tournament and 13 at Dudley Goals still only finished runners up though.
Worst memory is losing 1-0 to our local rivals Birmingham in the County Stage of the WFA National Over 60’s this year.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
It’s a great outlet from the pressures of my working life as a Commissioning Engineer.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Love the competitive element of playing in tournaments and meeting teams from all over England.
Also enjoy the banter and camaraderie that follows our training sessions.
What do you like least about Walking Football ?
Teams whose only agenda seems to be to stop their opponents from playing.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
Very difficult its something I’m constantly working on and have improved upon.
In tournaments where there is a two minute sin bin for 3 offences we have adopted policy that anyone caught twice is subbed for rest of that match.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
My personal goal has to be making the England Over 60s squad.
On a team level we will be doing our utmost to retain the WFA National Over 60s title in 2018.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play but is nervous about approaching a club or attending a Walking Football session for the first time?
Just do it you’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
Used to get a bit of stick from workmates who had seen the Barclays advert but that changed when I showed them a video of us competing in a recent tournament.
My family are very proud and supportive although my girlfriend Anne Marie says I talk about nothing else these days.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
At Hartshill our subs are £20 per month our playing kit and clothing is provided free of charge.
I’ve spent around £100 on 3 pairs of astroturf trainers and artificial grass boots in the last 2 years.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Think the future of the game is very exciting and skies the limit.
There is an urgent need for good standard fully trained referees though.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
