Walking Football
Walking football is a slower version of the beautiful game and is designed to give players who may not be able to play regular football the opportunity to continue playing – it is proving to be particularly popular with players in the ‘twilight’ of their footballing careers.
Other than walking as opposed to running, the rules are the same as the regular version of the game, so individuals who may not have played for years or perhaps suffer from a mobility injury can play again in confidence.
The sessions are recreational, light-hearted and most importantly – fun!
The demand for walking football has significantly increased in recent years, with players ranging from their 50’s right up to their 80’s, showing the variation of those wanting to get involved in the game.
Participants so far have commented on how the slower nature of the game allows older players to return to a sport they once loved, but have had no means to get back involved or methods of finding like-minded people.
Walking football provides an opportunity for participants to be able to kick a football again and re-live their years of being part of a football team.
The cup of tea after the game and the post-match banter is another enjoyable part of the sessions – adding a social element to a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
The FA has also developed a Walking Football Toolkit to assist organisations with the promotion, organisation and delivery of sessions, which can be found on the Staffordshire FA website:
www.staffordshirefa.com/players/adult-male/walking-football
For further information on walking football please contact Football Development Officer Gareth Thomas on 01785 256994 or
Walking Football in Staffordshire
Please find below a growing list of Walking Football organisations / sessions which are currently taking place across Staffordshire, along with the relevant information and contact details for each session.
Organisation / Venue / Details / ContactAlleynians Vets / Alleyne’s Sports Centre, Oulton Road, Stone,
ST15 8DR / Wednesday
6pm – 7pm
£TBC / Brian Fox
07881 823119
W:
Beaconside Sports Centre / Beaconside Sports Centre, Weston Road, Stafford,
ST18 0AD / Tuesday
12pm – 1pm
£2.20 / David Crisp – 01785 618240
John Fearns – 01889 881047
W:
Beaconside Sports Centre / Beaconside Sports Centre, Weston Road, Stafford,
ST18 0AD / Thursday
2pm – 3pm
£2.20 / David Crisp – 01785 618240
John Fearns – 01889 881047
W:
Burton Albion Community Trust / De Ferrers Academy, Trent Campus, St. Mary’s Drive, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 0LL / Tuesday
6pm - 7pm
£4.00 / John Widdowson
01283 565938
W: www.burtonalbioncommunitytrust.co.uk/over-50s-football/
Burton Albion Community Trust / Uttoxeter Leisure Centre, Oldfields Road, Uttoxeter,
ST14 7QL / Tuesday
2.30pm – 3.30pm
£2.00 / John Widdowson
01283 565938
W: www.burtonalbioncommunitytrust.co.uk/over-50s-football/
Cheadle SMU FC / South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen Street, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ / Wednesday
6.30pm – 7.30pm
£1.00 / Ian Morton
07594 552318
W: www.cheadlesmufc.co.uk/?p=1566
Cheadle SMU FC / South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen Street, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ / Friday
2.30pm – 3.30pm
£1.00 / Ian Morton
07594 552318
W: www.cheadlesmufc.co.uk/?p=1566
Chesterton Crusaders / Age UK North Staffs / Chesterton Community Sports College, Castle Street, Chesterton, Newcastle, ST5 7LP / Saturday
9.30am – 11.30am
£3.00 / Chris Humphries: 07584 855884
Tracey Humphries: 01782 200739 / 07557 102108
W: http://ccwf.club/
Lichfield District Council / Burntwood Leisure Centre,
High Street, Chasetown, Burntwood, WS7 3XH / Tuesday
1pm – 2pm
£2.50 / Sarah Sleigh
01543 308835
W: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Lichfield District Council / Burntwood Leisure Centre,
High Street, Chasetown, Burntwood, WS7 3XH / Friday
1pm – 2pm
£2.50 / Sarah Sleigh
01543 308835
W: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Parkwood Community Leisure / Biddulph Valley Leisure Centre, Thames Drive, Biddulph, ST8 7HL / Thursday
4pm – 4.45pm
£3.00
(Female Only) / Chris Hancock
01782 515005
W: www.leisurecentre.com/biddulph-valley-leisure-centre
Penkridge Leisure Centre / Penkridge Leisure Centre, Wolgarston High School, Cannock Roard, Penkridge, ST19 5RX / Friday
8.45am – 9.45am
£3.00 / Paul Jones
01785 714152
W: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/penkridge-leisure-centre
Port Vale Foundation / Age UK North Staffs / Co-operative Academy, Westport Road, Tunstall, Stoke on Trent, ST6 4LD / Tuesday
7pm – 8.30pm
£3.00 / Kev Sanders: 07760 464136
Tracey Humphries: 01782 200739 / 07557 102108
W:
Rugeley Leisure Centre / Burnthill Lane, Rugeley,
WS15 2HZ / Monday
7pm – 8pm
£3.60 / Ryan Tait
01889 586260
W: www.rugeleyleisurecentre.org/
Rugeley Leisure Centre / Burnthill Lane, Rugeley,
WS15 2HZ / Thursday
1pm – 2pm
£2.60 / Ryan Tait
01889 586260
W: www.rugeleyleisurecentre.org/
Stafford Borough Council / Rowley Park Stadium, Averill Road, Stafford, ST17 9XX / Tuesday
1pm – 2pm
£1.00 / Tony Dale
01785 619603
W: www.staffordbc.gov.uk/3gpitch
Stoke City Community Trust / Stoke City Academy Dome, Dennis Viollet Road, Sir Stanley Matthews Way,
ST4 4TN / Thursday
12.30pm – 2pm
£2.50 / Paul Salvatore
07866 494216
W: www.stokecityfc.com/community/health/
Stoke City Community Trust / Stoke City Academy Dome, Dennis Viollet Road, Sir Stanley Matthews Way,
ST4 4TN / Monday
7.45pm – 8.45pm
£2.50 / Paul Salvatore
07866 494216
W: www.stokecityfc.com/community/health/
Stoke-on-Trent City Council / The Wallace Sports Centre, Abbots Road, Abbey Hulton,
ST2 8DU / Monday
3pm – 4pm
£1.00 / Marie Jenkins
01782 233555
W: www.stoke.gov/uk
Stoke-on-Trent City Council / Northwood Stadium, Keelings Road, Stoke on Trent, ST1 6PB / Tuesday
3pm – 4pm
£ TBC / Marie Jenkins
01782 234992
W: www.stoke.gov/uk
Walsall Housing Group / Manor Farm Community Association, King George Crescent, Walsall, WS4 1EU / Monday
5pm – 6pm
£2.00 / Brian Morris
07568 086473
W:
Walsall Housing Group / Sneyd Community Association,
Vernon Way, Walsall,
WS3 2PA / Tuesday
10am – 11am
Free / Martin Berry
07912 999282
W:
Walsall Housing Group / Blakenall Community Centre, Blakenall Row, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 1LW / Thursday
9.15am – 10.15am
£1.00 / Brian Morris
07568 086473
W:
Walsall Housing Group / Walsall Football Club, Banks’s Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall, WS1 4SA / Friday
6pm – 7pm
£2.00 / Martin Berry
07912 999282
W:
Willenhall Walking Football Club / Banks's Soccer Centre, Aspray Arena, Sporting Khalsa, Noose Lane, Willenhall, WV13 3BB / Tuesday
7pm – 8pm
£TBC / Glyn Marston
07588249358
W:
Wyrley Juniors FC / Wyrley Juniors FC, Long Lane, Essington, WS6 6AT / Monday
6pm – 7pm
Free / Derek Cox
07703 787239
W: www.wyrleyjuniors.net/