With more than 800 teams across the UK, walking football is one of the country’s fastest growing sports and Aylesbury United are on the lookout for new players.
Lockdown permitting, players meet every Wednesday at the all-weather pitch at the Aylesbury Vale Academy. Lawrence Shave, secretary, said everyone aged 48 and over is encouraged to come down and give it a go.
He added: “It’s a great way to bring together people in a community and a great way not to hang your boots up.”
Designed as a way of getting older, mature adults active, the game is loosely based around normal football but with a few changes to the rules – including no running. The emphasis is on good old fashioned ball control, skills and passing.
Lawrence got involved with Aylesbury United in 2015 and hasn’t looked back.
He said: “From the first session, I fell in love with it. I could play a little bit of football with a nice bunch of guys. You find your feet once you’ve learned not to run, which is a bit of a learning curve.”
Set up in October 2014, Aylesbury United Walking Football Club was one of the first teams in the country and regularly takes on sides including Arsenal, Watford, Oxford United, Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers. They are also current holders of the FA Berks and Bucks County Cup.
United are one of the founder members of the Thames Valley Walking Football League. When it resumes, the Ducks will enter two teams and an over-65 team may follow suit.
If you’re still unsure, Lawrence has some final words of advice.
He said: “Don’t be afraid to think you’re too old or over the hill. I thought that years ago and it is honestly the best thing I have ever done in my life. Come along, give it a go and see what you think.”
So, if you are able to physically move and you still have a burning passion for football, get in touch with Lawrence by emailing shavel@tiscali.co.uk or on 07532 384103.
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