Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Walking Football group scores inspirational visit from World Cup winners

Everyone here at Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire (H&W) were honoured to be visited by four players from England’s National Walking Football team back in February. Most of the visiting team travelled a considerable distance in order to attend one of the Charity’s ever-growing Walking Football sessions, in a trip that was ultimately inspiring for everyone involved.

Our Walking Football group has recently been officially affiliated and registered with the Worcestershire FA as ‘Worcestershire Walking Football Club’, marking the first kind of any affiliation for an Age UK Walking Football group. This achievement alongside the visit from the England players has shown the passion and commitment of the members in the group, in what has been a successful few months for all involved.

The four England players who travelled to take part in the session also brought their coveted World Cup trophy with them and a World Cup medal. Members of Walking Football were given the opportunity to chat with the players and take pictures with the trophy - although the football still took precedence.

Within the session, the group played a competitive 11-a-side game, which was a further demonstration of the popularity and community that has been cultivated in this group in such a short period.

The England team visiting was spearheaded by their captain Steve Crilley, who spoke about the enjoyment found in Walking Football and groups like the one we’ve setup at Age UK H&W, saying:

“You saw the camaraderie today between the players, it was absolutely brilliant. The football was unbelievable, and in particular, one chap who was 84, still being able to come out, play football and have the same banter as when you’re 18 is brilliant. It was a really good event”.

One of the group’s volunteers, Terry Holland, also commented on recent events around the group saying: 

“It has been an absolute joy meeting and playing walking football, the privilege of taking part and sharing the game at this stage of our lives does so much for us all - physically and mentally. It’s the highlight of the week.”

If you or someone you care about is interested in walking football, you can find out more here https://bit.ly/45fFpfF, or alternatively you can contact our referral hub on 0800 008 6077.