1) Background
Name: Peter Speroni
Age: 68
Location: Barnet FC, The Hive, Camrose Avenue, Edgware
Walking Football Club Name: Barnet WFT
How long have you played Walking Football?
2 years
2) Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
To play the game and improve my fast declining health!
3)How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
2 .. Thursdays 7-8pm , Fridays 2-3pm At The Hive , home of Barnet FC
4) What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
Wear shin pads and gloves (goalkeeper)
5) Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Have played competitive for Barnet over 50s at such places as the Emirates hub and I play in an over 65 round robin
6) Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
My diet has changed but that is due mainly to having a heart attack (not on the field either! My arteries were blocked after years of a poor diet and smoking!)
7) Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
Before my heart attack my fitness was improving. I could move quicker and for longer without getting out of breath and was becoming more flexible with my joints. I think it has aided in my recovery from a heart attack.
8) Have you had any injuries playing and if so what were they?
No – all my injuries are incurred by my work as a gardener!
9) Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions?
Yes
10) Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
The guys in our group are a really good bunch of guys , many of whom are also Barnet supporters who I wouldn’t necessarily of met if it wasn’t for the walking football connection.Some of us also retreat for refreshments after the sessions and put the world of football and cricket to right.
11) What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Being presented by Barnet fc goalkeeper Jamie Stephens several pairs of gloves in appreciation of my part in getting our group established.
Worst – as previously mentioned
12) How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
I never thought at the age of 66 I’d be going out to buy myself football boots!
13) What do you like most about Walking Football?
We always seem to have a few laughs in our sessions playing the game we thought had passed us by
14) What do you like least about Walking Football?
The win at all and any costs attitude. We are mature people and the risk to health from other players appalls me.
15) What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
To play for as long as possible, We have a good number of players older than me so I would like to emulate them
16) Anything else you’d like to share?
If you loved your football and think you’re now past it – think again, it’s a new lease of life and good fun along the way
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
