With football being the phenomenon it is, it comes as no surprise that walking football in Salford is so popular amongst those over 50. However, walking football in Salford is not just for keeping fit, it plays a large part in impacting the mental health of the older generation.
Anthony Monaghan, 71, is an active participant in the weekly walking football sessions, having first taken part in 2014 after retiring.
Many residents have discovered the benefits of walking football in Salford, building friendships and enhancing their social lives.
Anthony described how, after eight years of playing regularly, he was forced to stop temporarily when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago.
He said: “I had my prostate removed last year and came back to playing earlier this year. For six months, I couldn’t do anything and had to stop playing. But since I’ve been back, I feel like I have got fitter by taking part in the sessions, fitter in terms of what a 70-year-old can be.
“When I got the cancer diagnosis, this was my goal to get back to. I have to keep getting checked and, touch wood, I’m still clear, but I feel great and this has helped.”
walking football in Salford
Kevin Longbottom, 76, described how he began playing in Eccles in 2010, and they were lucky if they got numbers of 10. The group now has over 100 members and usually gets 35-40 turning up every week.
He described how: “When you retire, the options if you are reasonably fit and you want to do sport are to go to the gym or play a bit of badminton or tennis.
“But I think then it’s a bit individual. Whereas with football, it brings us all back to when we were 21, playing as a team, having a laugh and enjoying it. And a great way of keeping fit.”
The men also described how it was a great way to make friends, with Anthony and Kevin first meeting at an international tournament in Spain.
Kevin described how the group also have the “odd” curry night and a trip to the races.
Eric Lowndes, 72, another active member of Salford Community Walking Football Club, first began walking football after he had a stroke when he was 60.
Speaking about his stroke, he said: “This affected me more mentally than physically, and my wife was a bit worried about me, I just hadn’t really gone out for about six months. She knew there was walking football going on in Irlam inside and I somewhat reluctantly went down. Since then, I’ve been with them for around 11 or 12 years.”
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Eric went on to describe how many of the members have hidden disabilities, with many having prostate operations or bowel cancer.
“Our range goes from some very good players to some not very good players, but it doesn’t really matter because we all come down for a game, that’s our philosophy and that’s why I think it’s been successful.
“Men, I think, aren’t recognised as being particularly good at sociability really. The main thing is you can come and just play for an hour and go home if you want to, and during that time, you’re socialising, but there’s nothing formal about it, and those who want to come afterwards can come for a coffee.
“We all still think we are great footballers, in our heads we’re still flying down the wing.”
The group also have sessions on Tuesday nights for those over 50 who still work but want a game of football where they won’t get injured…
CONTINUE READING at source: https://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2025/11/02/it-brings-us-back-to-when-we-were-21-how-walking-football-in-salford-is-giving-players-a-new-lease-of-life/
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Author: The Walking Football
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