The Walking Football thread

[Guller Bull]

Who plays?
What team(s) do you play for?

I live in Dumfries and Galloway and we have a growing walking football presence in the area. Been playing about 7 years now when my legs were too knackered to keep up with the young uns at 5 a side.

I used to play for Annan Athletic and Queen of the South at walking football but due to moving I know play for St Cuthberts Wandrers (Kirkcudbright)

We play twice a week and also play against other local clubs in "friendly" tournaments (Annan/Queens/Stranraer etc). We also enter National competitions up in Glasgow Green etc

There is another Claret joined us recently (might be on here?) Also 2 Sheff Utd fans and other assorted wombles.

[59claret]

Been thinking about having a go at this !

[Bowclaret]

I play for Garstang but currently out with a knee replacement. Hope to be back playing around April.

Absolutely love it and the banter is great. We have over 100 players. 7 Burnley fans and 3 Rovers fans

[Guller Bull]

I play for Garstang but currently out with a knee replacement. Hope to be back playing around April.

Absolutely love it and the banter is great. We have over 100 players. 7 Burnley fans and 3 Rovers fans

I probably know a few of the lads that you play with. Grew up in Churchtown (after leaving Burnley at the age of 11) Garstang are supposed to have a great team from what I have heard. Does Handsy still play for you?

[Guller Bull]

Been thinking about having a go at this !

You'd not be dissapointed. Still competitive and as Bow C has already said , the banter is great.

[dandeclaret]

My mates used to joke I'd be the first £1m walking footballer, as they claimed (Somewhat unfairly) that I'd been playing walking football since I was 11.

The absolute cheek of them.....

[Carnsmerry12]

My club team is Saints, St Austell. I am also player/ manager of Cornwall 65s. There are 13 clubs who take part in a league/cup competition. Cornwall 65s have a squad of 11 players and we compete in a winter and summer league against 7 other counties. We have to travel to Weston Super Mare for the fixtures. Currently I am working closely with the managers of Dorset and Devon to promote walking football in the South West and we now organise cross county fixtures. To limit travel we use Ashbury in Devon as the venue, they have good 3G pitches plus they have very good golf courses, plus several other sports such as snooker rooms , tennis courts ten pin bowling etc. They offer a number of deals with accommodation and food etc. It would make an excellent base for a club(s) to use coming from “up country “ and I can organise opposition from clubs/ county. Happy to help in any way.

[jdrobbo]

My mates used to joke I'd be the first £1m walking footballer, as they claimed (Somewhat unfairly) that I'd been playing walking football since I was 11.

The absolute cheek of them.....

The thing is, Dan, you sensibly surround yourself with wise friends, who, like you, have a good understanding of football. I suspect your friends speak the truth.

[Carnsmerry12]

Forgot to say club football starts at ages 50/55. Cornwall also have squads in 60 and 70s.

[dandeclaret]

The thing is, Dan, you sensibly surround yourself with wise friends, who, like you, have a good understanding of football. I suspect your friends speak the truth.

Pingu..... would have been interesting to see how they'd have assessed a very good side I once played in. Had a wookie at the back, the angriest bloke on the planet in midfield (Much mellowed now), a penguin in nets, 2 very skilful runners and a little dynamo up front. Good team that, properly allowed me to play the best walking football of a long career.

[Rowls]

Thought this was going to be a Leon Cort thread hurt hurt hurr

[vinrogue]

I play for Lincoln Invictus in the Lincolnshire League. We have over 50’s, over 60’s and over 70’s leagues. We have training sessions twice a week and league games once a month.

[martin_p]

I find it all a bit pedestrian.

[DCWat]

Is there a minimum age for playing? I seem to remember searching a while back and I’m sure that i saw 50 being menioned, I could be wrong.

I’m not there yet age wise and ideally, I would love to still be playing football, but my ankle just isn’t up to it - I reckon it’d be OK with walking football though.

[Guller Bull]

Is there a minimum age for playing? I seem to remember searching a while back and I’m sure that i saw 50 being menioned, I could be wrong.

I’m not there yet age wise and ideally, I would love to still be playing football, but my ankle just isn’t up to it - I reckon it’d be OK with walking football though.

Different age groups for competitions - Usually O50's 55's 60's 65's 70+

We have had younger players join us to get back to fitness. Most people come into it thinking it's a bit of a joke but usually after one session change that mind set completely. It's about position and space and passing. Usually three touch, no running (tough to enforce but gets you booked and penalty awarded against you for persistent offences. Under head height, no heading etc

[jdrobbo]

Pingu..... would have been interesting to see how they'd have assessed a very good side I once played in. Had a wookie at the back, the angriest bloke on the planet in midfield (Much mellowed now), a penguin in nets, 2 very skilful runners and a little dynamo up front. Good team that, properly allowed me to play the best walking football of a long career.

That penguin….21 cleansheets in a row at one stage I recall….and people are dining out on Traff’s TEN…

Pfffttt

[JLR81]

I've never seen it, but I'd hope it's like Father Ted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z7ONzqeoTE

[Herts Clarets]

I play twice a week with 2 different groups, though there are a couple of players like me who play both sessions. It is far from pedestrian and very competitive without any animosity. I would encourage anyone that is finding normal football a bit of an effort to give it a try and from experience, if you are a good player at normal football you will be a good player at walking. We had in the past a guy who has played around the North West at a good standard, Ian Lang - played for Nelson, Morecambe and Gt Harwood amongst others. You can tell he has played to a much higher standard than most of the other blokes who play and I enjoyed banter with him as he is from the wrong end of the M65.

[Stalbansclaret]

Am proud to play for Burnley Clarets over 60s in the Greater Manchester Walking Football League. We also have over 65s and 70s. Last season we over 60s won Div 3 having gone the 16 match season undefeated so this year we’ll be playing in a 10 team top division as Divs 1 and 2 have been amalgamated in a League restructure.
It’s a great game …play twice a week at the Leisure Box in Brierfield. Whilst we are independent of BFC I know BFC in the community also run sessions there where anyone can try the game.

[FCBurnley]

What are the basic rules ? Assume it’s similar to Netball ?

[Stalbansclaret]

What are the basic rules ? Assume it’s similar to Netball ?

Usually 6-a-side. Only the keeper can go in the semi-circular penalty area. A defender who strays in there concedes a penalty.
No running. Ball cannot go over head height. No heading. Only front-on tackling . 4 team fouls, including instances of running , means a penalty to the opposition.
Most games are tight and relatively low-scoring so you don’t want to be giving penalties away .

[Guller Bull]

What are the basic rules ? Assume it’s similar to Netball ?

Have a look on here. That is the English walking football web site. rules may differ slightly across the countries but that should give you a good link in.

https://thewfa.co.uk/

[agreenwood]

Pingu..... would have been interesting to see how they'd have assessed a very good side I once played in. Had a wookie at the back, the angriest bloke on the planet in midfield (Much mellowed now), a penguin in nets, 2 very skilful runners and a little dynamo up front. Good team that, properly allowed me to play the best walking football of a long career.

Wookie was the first amateur footballer in known history to have had an actual war declared against him.

[Quickenthetempo]

There's a walking football session on at Padiham leisure centre tomorrow.

[Paul Waine]

What are the basic rules ? Assume it’s similar to Netball ?

FA Guide to the laws of walking football (hope the link works).

https://learn.englandfootball.com/cours ... 20Football

There's also another set of walking football rules - differ a little from FA laws.

I'm in South West London. I started playing walking football with Age UK Richmond. I then started going to Chelsea Community sessions at Kingsmeadow in Kingston - I played 5-a-side at Kingsmeadow for 14 years, stopped when I had a heart attack mid-game. I then learnt about Surrey FA Walking Football League and entered a multi-age team (6-a-side, must have 1 player over 70, 3 over 60, other 2 can be any age over 50). Second season we had 3 age group teams: 60s, 65s and multi-age. I also turned 70 and played with Blues70 (Chelsea team). This season - season starts March - I'm playing for Blues70s, Teddington 60s, Teddington 65s and Blues Multi-age. The FA has also expanded the national FA County competitions. I make my debut for Surrey 70s on Saturday (missing FA Cup 5th round) in friendly against Essex. Surrey and 4 other counties: Dorset, Oxfordshire, Essex and Thames Valley play in a regional qualifying round in April. The national finals are in Birmingham in June. I understand Lancashire are in one of the other qualifying rounds.

A couple of weeks back I was part of a walking football demonstration game at half-time between Chertsey Town v Walton & Hersham (again, local teams to me). There are a number of sessions at Walton every day of the week. Lots and lots of other sessions around south west London. Fulham and Wimbledon as well as Chelsea enter teams in Surrey League. Godalming are also in the league - and appear to win one or other national trophy every season, often held at St George's Park.

Chelsea sessions at Kingsmeadow I often play with Gary Chivers, an ex-pro and a good mate of Ian Britton (RIP) when they were at Chelsea together.

Walking football is great fun. I've recently done the FA referees course - the offense is "not walking" - rather than "running." Get that idea into your head and it takes a lot of the debate about "I wasn't running...etc." It's a non-contact sport - because as you get older all bumps and bruises take a lot longer to heal. As said above, it's all about positioning and passing accurately.

[bfcmik]

I've been playing at Birmingham WFC, the largest Walking Football Club in the world, for 10 years next week. We have around 30 sessions each week for various age groups, women only and restricted mobility groups, all supported by a full time paid coach. I play in 2 or 3 sessions a week and also play for one of our 2 over 70s sides in the County League. If you'd have told me 15 years ago that I would be playing football and still scoring goals today I would have laughed right in your face!

I also manage one of our 3 Birmingham County WF League sides in the over 63s (changing to 65+ next season) league, and I'm the manager of the FA County/regional over 65s defending national champions as well.

WF isn't a non-contact sport, as some have said, it is a minimal contact sport with tackling from behind and the side forbidden. No heading the ball, a (technically) no over head-height rule which seems to vary from 4' to 6' depending on the referee's mood, no playing the ball if you have 3 or more points of ground contact. The semi-circular goal area belongs to the keeper, setting foot inside is a penalty if you are a defender and a free-kick if you are an attacker.

All in all, between the exercise, banter, and after game coffee time, I credit it with making me a reasonably fit and mobile 71 year old and, despite being grossly overweight, I have no issues with blood pressure, diabetes or my joints.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

[IanMcL]

I play for Garstang but currently out with a knee replacement. Hope to be back playing around April.

Absolutely love it and the banter is great. We have over 100 players. 7 Burnley fans and 3 Rovers fans

So a footballer gets knee damage and recuperates and a walking footballer goes the whole hog and gets it replaced!

[longsidetrumpet]

As St Alban's says Burnley Clarets is a thriving independent set-up of 30 walking footballers playing in three age groups in the Greater Manchester Walking Football League. We set up in 2019 having previously been involved with the Burnley FC in the Community group. There was a bit of politics involved but they didn't want to go down the competitive league route. We started with 10 and have grown year by year, with a few trophies in the GMWFL coming our way. Lots of lads who are well known for their prowess in local leagues down the years, including a Colne Dynamos Wembley winner!

[Andy_G]

Took it up about 4 years ago and I’m loving it. Initially it’s very difficult to adapt to as your first instinct when trying to get to the ball is to run. I think I must have worn out a couple of referees whistles in the early days as I was constantly being pulled up for running.

If you can, give it a go. I’m not only fitter but my general wellbeing is much improved. The bants are as good as they ever were and I now have loads of new mates.

[Paul Waine]

I've been playing at Birmingham WFC, the largest Walking Football Club in the world, for 10 years next week. We have around 30 sessions each week for various age groups, women only and restricted mobility groups, all supported by a full time paid coach. I play in 2 or 3 sessions a week and also play for one of our 2 over 70s sides in the County League. If you'd have told me 15 years ago that I would be playing football and still scoring goals today I would have laughed right in your face!

I also manage one of our 3 Birmingham County WF League sides in the over 63s (changing to 65+ next season) league, and I'm the manager of the FA County/regional over 65s defending national champions as well.

WF isn't a non-contact sport, as some have said, it is a minimal contact sport with tackling from behind and the side forbidden. No heading the ball, a (technically) no over head-height rule which seems to vary from 4' to 6' depending on the referee's mood, no playing the ball if you have 3 or more points of ground contact. The semi-circular goal area belongs to the keeper, setting foot inside is a penalty if you are a defender and a free-kick if you are an attacker.

All in all, between the exercise, banter, and after game coffee time, I credit it with making me a reasonably fit and mobile 71 year old and, despite being grossly overweight, I have no issues with blood pressure, diabetes or my joints.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Will you be at FA County WF national finals in June? Coleshill, Birmingham I understand. I'm hoping to be there with Surrey 70s. We should know sometime in April if we progress through regional qualifying round.

Agree, totally about the social and health benefits of walking football.

I think there's some effort going on to align the rules at both FA and UEFA levels. I've heard that the cross-bar defines the max height of the ball, rather than "over head." Of course, some goals are wide with low cross-bar whereas others are not as wide, but higher. Surrey League is strictly "no contact." Tackles from behind and from side are fouls, even when no contact with opposing player. Tackles from front only allowed if no contact between players. Of course, some contact may be "no fault" by either player, just an unintended coming together. Refs may still award free kick, but not count as a "toting up" offence, or "blue card" sin bin. It's a great game however the rules are applied from one competition to another.

[Paul Waine]

Took it up about 4 years ago and I’m loving it. Initially it’s very difficult to adapt to as your first instinct when trying to get to the ball is to run. I think I must have worn out a couple of referees whistles in the early days as I was constantly being pulled up for running.

If you can, give it a go. I’m not only fitter but my general wellbeing is much improved. The bants are as good as they ever were and I now have loads of new mates.

Exactly the same for me, Andy. In our league games 4 "not walking" offences result in a penalty against the team. It's great discipline - at least for those who want the discipline - to realise you could have won a game or two if the team hadn't "run" ie committed too many "not walking" offences. (Good fun, though, if you can identify a player on the other team who had a tendency to run).

All the old competitive instincts are always there - if may be a little more slowly.

[Paul Waine]

And, almost the same time as I posted above, I've received email informing February 2025 Amendments to FA Laws of the Game. Surrey FA WF league starts next week. These updated laws will apply immediately.

Notable change: If a height offence occurs within the penalty area and is committed by the goalkeeper an indirect free kick should be awarded 3m from the penalty area line nearest to where the offence took place. Any save or block from a goalkeeper that rises above the designated height restriction, before leaving the field of play, will result in a side-line restart (kick in or roll-in) for the opposing team, in line with where the offence took place.

Previously, if goalkeeper made a save and ball ball was above height limit the ball was returned to goalkeeper. Now, the advantage goes to the attacking team.

[bfcmik]

Will you be at FA County WF national finals in June? Coleshill, Birmingham I understand.

Yes, I'll be there. That is our 'home' league venue where we play matches every fortnight on Wednesday lunchtime. Very accessible from J4 of the M6.

Last year I only had 3 weeks before the Redditch national finals so I only chose players I knew! This year I have already held my 1st trial session and plan another before we (hopefully) hold a small regional round robin prior to the knockout round. Not sure why they want the knockout round as only 6 of the 14 leagues that registered actually turned up on the day.

[Andy_G]

All the old competitive instincts are always there - if may be a little more slowly.

Indeed they are, and people don’t change much. The whingers still whinge whilst others let their feet do the talking.

Some of us mellow as we get older but others still want to argue about everything and are every bit as much fun to wind up as they ever were.

[Claretforshaw]

I am soon to be 74 and have been playing since I moved to Rochdale 9 years ago. We play at the leisure Centre and it’s very casual not taken too seriously by most of us, we go for a laugh and the banter. Some, mostly the “younger “ ones are a little too enthusiastic at times. At the moment I am the only claret, apparently in two weeks we play a team from Burnley, might have to throw the game!!

[Herts Clarets]

I played my usual Wednesday session in Ware yesterday evening and I was talking to a guy before we started, last week was the first time he has played. He started talking about the game v WBA and said his Dad is a Burnley fan (I always wear a Burnley shirt when I play). I asked if he was from Burnley and he said yes originally, in fact he is from Nelson. Small world, so am I. He said you may know my grandfather, Eric Mann, he owned a fireplace business. I remember Mann's fireplaces in Brierfield just next to Connelly's Plaice chippy. Small world.....

[Paul Waine]

Yes, I'll be there. That is our 'home' league venue where we play matches every fortnight on Wednesday lunchtime. Very accessible from J4 of the M6.

Last year I only had 3 weeks before the Redditch national finals so I only chose players I knew! This year I have already held my 1st trial session and plan another before we (hopefully) hold a small regional round robin prior to the knockout round. Not sure why they want the knockout round as only 6 of the 14 leagues that registered actually turned up on the day.

Good to meet you yesterday at Sixfields, Northampton Town's stadium, bfcmik.

I'll be at Coleshill on 15th June with Surrey 70s.

UTC

[Woodleyclaret]

Like normal football you need good refs especially to penalise the 50+ players who try to bend the non running rules.I played as a 75 Yr old in Reading and one 82 Yr old ambled about but had great passing and ball control. I asked him if he'd played at a decent level .He'd had a few yrs at Orient.The fun aspect is great but like all sports once leagues and competition come in the casual over 70 l players get sidelined as winning becomes all important.

[bfcmik]

Good to meet you yesterday at Sixfields, Northampton Town's stadium, bfcmik.

I'll be at Coleshill on 15th June with Surrey 70s.

UTC

It was good to see you. Glad I had my Burnley shirt on so you could recognise me . Shame that we both lost in the quarter-finals, but those 10 minute games were awful. I've never been to a tournament with games less than 15 minutes before, most seem to be 2x12 minutes or 1x20. And I expected far better organisation too!

[Herts Clarets]

I played my usual Sunday evening session this week and for the first time for many months the Rovers fan turned up. All he said was I am just pleased Leeds won the league so i dont have to get any more stick from you! Half time we had stopped for drinks and to change ends and someone found a 50p coin behind the goal. Not sure if someone has dropped it or if it's a take over bid for Blackburn.

In all seriousness it was good to see him as he is a good bloke and has been a quality player. One of those who has so much time on the ball, never loses it, never misplaces a pass and makes playing the game look so easy.

[Paul Waine]

It was good to see you. Glad I had my Burnley shirt on so you could recognise me . Shame that we both lost in the quarter-finals, but those 10 minute games were awful. I've never been to a tournament with games less than 15 minutes before, most seem to be 2x12 minutes or 1x20. And I expected far better organisation too!

Agree, 10 minute games were too short. Followed by 60 minutes hanging around for the next game...

I'd taken a couple of rolls with me, but some of our players had expected to be able to buy food at the stadium - but it wasn't open. OK, there were some shops not too far away. But, players didn't want to go and get some food at the shops in case their next game was called while they were away from the e stadium.

I heard yesterday, provisional fixtures for 70s at Coleshill kick-off at 2pm. If that is confirm, it will be a much easier day.

[dandeclaret]

Wookie was the first amateur footballer in known history to have had an actual war declared against him.

Still tell that story regularly.... "Right that's it, you and me, all out warfare"...... Sub lads, anyone..... no no wookie, you stay on, you're doing a great job

[bfcmik]

Agree, 10 minute games were too short. Followed by 60 minutes hanging around for the next game...

I'd taken a couple of rolls with me, but some of our players had expected to be able to buy food at the stadium - but it wasn't open. OK, there were some shops not too far away. But, players didn't want to go and get some food at the shops in case their next game was called while they were away from the e stadium.

I heard yesterday, provisional fixtures for 70s at Coleshill kick-off at 2pm. If that is confirm, it will be a much easier day.

The bar (which also has coffee) and, possibly, some food will be open at Coleshill on the 16th. I haven't had fixtures for my 65s yet but I suspect we will be in the morning games.

[Paul Waine]

The bar (which also has coffee) and, possibly, some food will be open at Coleshill on the 16th. I haven't had fixtures for my 65s yet but I suspect we will be in the morning games.

65s provisional times: 12:30 to 13:55. Presentation 14:15.

As I said schedule marked as all times provisional "and may be subject to alteration."

No indication of how many teams in each age group. (Maybe there was indication when qualifying rounds were announced).

No indication of how long games are.

[agreenwood]

Still tell that story regularly.... "Right that's it, you and me, all out warfare"...... Sub lads, anyone..... no no wookie, you stay on, you're doing a great job

I wonder if there’s a walking football incarnation of the T-Bones?

[bfcmik]

65s provisional times: 12:30 to 13:55. Presentation 14:15.

As I said schedule marked as all times provisional "and may be subject to alteration."

No indication of how many teams in each age group. (Maybe there was indication when qualifying rounds were announced).

No indication of how long games are.

Looks like 6 teams in each age group, similar to last year. It was a 24 (2x12) minute round robin.

Regional Finals.JPG (37.22 KiB) Viewed 564 times

[IanMcL]

Do you still get rapid wingers in walking football?

[Paul Waine]

Do you still get rapid wingers in walking football?

There are always a few who move around quicker than others. A good ref will always call them out - a free kick to the opposition for "not walking." Many competitions have the rule that 4 "not walking" offences by a team results in a penalty being awarded against them. When those rules apply a common tactic is to spot "the runner" and make sure they get the ball every now and then. If they run 4 times there's a very good chance to go 1 up with the penalty.