Walking football is a slower-paced form of football that aims to be inclusive. Leeds residents as elderly as 72 have begun playing football owing to the efforts of a ‘walking football group’.
‘Walking football‘ is a slower-paced form of football that is intended to be more accessible to the elderly and fragile. Leeds has two walking football clubs: the Leeds Titans and the Rothwell Old Boars. There are several additional clubs around the country including Blackpool Senior Seasiders, competing in their respective leagues, as well as national teams.
Old Boars chairman Chris Murray, 61, has been a member of the club for seven years with his wife. He claims he and many others would never have been able to play football again without it. Chris stated that without these clubs, we would not be able to play that sport again. “A sport we’ve loved since childhood, which typically ends around the age of 33.”However, it now allows those beyond the age of 70 to play football for as long as their bodies allow. People who had knee replacements and believed they wouldn’t be able to exercise are now playing because they can and getting fitter.”
Chris manages many teams, including a men’s over 50s team, two over 60s, an over 65s team, and a women’s over 50s squad. Chris claims their oldest player is a 72-year-old guy, and they have a 68-year-old in goal who is still diving for the ball despite his advanced age.
The club chairman adds that the club is wonderful for socialising, with family members attending games and the team coming together to arrange fundraisers for people in need and causes that are important to them. They just earned £800 to aid a team member’s brain-damaged grandchild.
Chris stated, “Some folks who would not have touch with anyone else in their latter years may come down and mingle with us. Like, go to the pub afterward. We do have occasions where we travel away for competitions and to the beach on excursions, stuff like that.
Chris helped develop the women’s over 50 group quickly after joining it, noticing how much fun his wife was having learning to play football for the first time. They also provide mixed-gender games.
Chris explained: “My wife has never played football in her life. When I first went to walking football, I told her she had to come down and try it; it’s fantastic. She’s been playing three times a week for the past seven years.”
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