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?
I have always been involved in sport from being a young kid , mostly football from playing all the hours god sends on the back field with my mates and for my school side, I played right through my school years then onto local teams both Saturday & Sunday football.
I stopped playing in my mid forties but keep up with my regular training always looking for something to fill the football gap nothing quite did until now.
How long have you played Walking Football?
Just under a year.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
Because I love the game off football I feel the walking football has given me my identity back as well as the fitness aspect, we all enjoy the on field competition but also the mates u make off the field because we’re all in the same boat missed our football now we have a second go at it.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
I train with Roach Dynamos once a week and we play league games in the Greater Manchester Walking football league once a month, a very well organised league off three divisions with 5 teams per division we play 4 games off 15 mins.
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?
Usually the training is just our players from Roach but if anybody wants to come down and have a go male or female they would be more than welcome the league games are for over 60s and there’s an over 65s league again male and female involved.
When you play a game of Walking Football do you play to the WFA, WFS, WFU or FA rules and why did your club decide to follow those rules of the game?
Not certain which rules the league follow but it’s 15 min per game six a side 4 subs which can be rotated as often as needed, none contact and no over head height.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
Playing in team has really sparked all the old feeling I used to get playing football for many years not so much the winning which I still enjoy but just having the opportunity to be involved again along with a lot off like minded people, the exciting prospect off just kicking a ball around with a few mates is amazing.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
Warm up properly stretching is essential.
Oh and don’t forget ur not 19 anymore.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Currently playing in the Greater Manchester Walking Football League.
I’ve also been selected to play for Manchester Corinthians to play in some national tournaments.
The Greater Manchester Walking Football has a rolling 4 month season with a small summer break but at the end off each season there is the league winners each division are promoted and the bottom team relegated from each off the 3 divisions, there’s also a golden boot for leading goal scorer and golden gloves for least goals conceded by an individual keeper.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
No my diet hasn’t changed for years as I have quite a good balanced diet.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
Although I do still do my own small work outs at home mostly core strengthening the Walking Football has brought my cardio fitness up to a much better level.
Ps it not as easy playing as some people think.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
Been lucky with injuries touch wood but most are caused by players not warming up enough or by not stretching mostly pulls and strains as our football is non contact.
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?
Both the training sessions and the league games take place at a sports village with all the necessary medical facilities available.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
My social life has got a much broader outlook with the walking football more opportunities to visit different places and people both to play matches and visit socially.
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?
Roach Dynamos are a well organised and large club mostly for youth football apart from us OAPs obviously but they have end off season nights in local facility’s and also run charity events throughout the year.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
My best memory is stepping out onto a football pitch in a team and playing again my worst missing a penalty.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Made me aware that there are a lot off people out there who want to be involved in sports but are not certain how to go about it.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
I like the general all round good will there is in the game we play to win but it’s not the be all.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Don’t dislike anything about it.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
It is one off the most difficult parts off the sport the not running ?♂️ but u sometimes get that involved u just forget and run , the only advice I could give is just too keep the walking in the front off ur mind.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Just to carry on enjoying playing the competition and the friendship iv found so far.
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?
If people want to start playing they should try and find a local club who hold weekly training sessions most have websites and will usually have opportunities for people to go along and try their hand.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
We pay a weekly fee off £3 and £5 cost once a month for the league days, were lucky as Roach Dynamos supplied us with a kit , the subs go to kit wash and league fees.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Just to say the walking football community is a open and friendly one at least that’s been my experience hope these answers will help or encourage more players to give it a go.
Thanks,
Mick Tarpey,
Roach Dynamos,
Manchester Corinthians.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
