Leeds people as old as 72 have been playing football thanks to the efforts of a ‘walking football club’.
A ‘walking football’ is a slower-paced version of football, designed to be inclusive for those who are older or more vulnerable. There are two walking footy clubs in Leeds, these are the Leeds Titans and Rothwell Old Boars. There plenty other clubs across the country involved in their own league, and even national teams.
Old Boars chairman Chris Murray, 61, has been part of the club for seven years with his wife. He says he and so many others would never have been able to play football again without it. Chris said: “Without these clubs being set-up, we wouldn’t be able to play that sport again. A sport we’ve loved all the way through our childhoods – which would normally come to a stop at about 33.
“But it opens it up to over 70s, so they can come and play football for as long as their body permitted. People now who have had knee replacements done and thought they wouldn’t be able to get exercise or anything like that, a lot of them are playing because they can and they get fitter.”
Chris helps manage the teams which includes a men’s over 50s team, two over 60s, an over 65s, and a women’s over 50s. Chris says their oldest player is a 72-year-old gentleman and they have a 68-year-old in net who is still diving for the ball at his sprightly old age.
Rothwell Old Boars Over 50s Women’s team
(Image: Rothwell Old Boars)
The club chairman adds that the club is great for socialising with family members attending games and the team getting together to even hold fundraisers for those in need and causes which are dear to them. They recently raised £800 towards helping a team member’s grandchild who is brain damaged.
Chris said: “Some people that would not have any contact with anybody else in their older years can come down and socialise with us. Like go to the pub afterwards. We do have events where we go away for tournaments and the seaside on trips, things like that.”
Chris helped expand the women’s over 50 club shortly after he got involved in the club, noting how much fun his wife was having getting into football for the first time. They also have mixed gender games.
Chris said: “My wife had never played football before in her life. When I first went to walking football, I told she had to come down and try it out, it’s brilliant. Now she’s been playing for about seven years, three times a week.”
If you want to get involved in walking football in Leeds, the Rothwell Old Boars page can be found here. More information on sessions across the city can be found, here, with programmes in Morley and Armley. The Leeds United Foundation also put on weekly sessions at Leeds Grammar School and in Seacroft, information can be found, here.
Rothwell Old Boars Women’s over 50s team
(Image: Rothwell Old Boars)
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