The Joys of Walking Footie!
Many of you have experienced the "Joys" of walking football and some of you may even be considering trying it, so it may be appropriate to share a few alternative reasons to play the game that may apply to some (or all) of us.
1. Conversation while you visit the ‘Hair Salon’
Following the retirement of Bob the Barber - who used to provide a quick short back and sides followed by a good dollop of Brylcream no matter what style you asked for, we perhaps now go to the ‘Salon’ and a hairstylist. The college training course obviously involves training these young people on how to engage customers in conversations. The process always begins with: “Are you doing anything exciting this week?” So now instead of the usual……..No, not really…….Going for a walk…..Cutting the grass . NO! you can now say actually I am playing in a top class football tournament. Sometimes over the other side of the country.
2. It helps slow down the onset of dementia
At some sessions there are over thirty other players they have all got a name. The mental sharpness to put a name to thirty odd different faces is keeping our minds active. On occasions when we can't quite remember a team mates names we resort to doing a Trigger by calling everyone ‘Dave’ we're not sure about.
3. Being able to see the shock on the faces of the staff at Sports Direct
The delight we get from the reaction of the lad or lass threading the trainers in Sports Direct when we go in and interrupt them by asking for a new pair of astro-turf trainers that will last at least five years despite the fact we may be well into our seventh decade. “TO PLAY FOOTBALL IN ?????” The surprise on their face that suggests they are not sure whether we will last as long as the trainers.
4. The Post–Match Analysis
It’s great to sit down in the club house after the game with a soup or a coffee and dissect every player’s performance one by one. No-one is exempt from criticism even with a doctor’s note. I have missed this male activity for too many years to mention. It is a tradition that pre-dates history and even Pro Stats on the computer. Football is a game of opinions and it is great to be able to share them again.
5. Extracting the Michael
As you stand on the pitch with the game going on around you, it is possible to switch off and get on with the important things. You have an hour to hone your skills as an alternate comedian so you need to concentrate, not on the football, but on making up mildly amusing one-liners about the mishaps of the other players, spectators and assorted passers by.
6. "The Waking Food was fantasy this more"
As we still try to master the use of our low tech mobile phone "The Walking Football was fantastic this morning" is helping us come to terms with the invention of predictive text. But for now the message in bold is the one I can manage to send to all of the contacts on my phone………. even though my local plumber didn't really give a toss about the Waking Food.
7. Doctors, Blood Pressure Tablets and Us
Walking Football is perhaps helping us get the upper hand with the medical profession about whether the blood pressure tablets they are prescribing are not worth the side effects. Losing weight and taking exercise are working better than growing an extra head.
8. Interest in the Wider World
I now watch STV local weather reports every Monday, and Wednesday to check on weather conditions for the next days football. The Walking Football is widening our horizons………some of you have even been to Stenhousemuir and Ayr!
9. Messi Moments
Once in a while during a game something special happens for you… a nutmeg… a dribble (not from the mouth)…a shot… a defence splitting pass… a soaring header, or whatever floats your boat......and then your inner Messi is released.
10. Disbelief
That at our age we are still able to "play" this incredible game after years of assuming our playing days were long gone!!
1. Conversation while you visit the ‘Hair Salon’
Following the retirement of Bob the Barber - who used to provide a quick short back and sides followed by a good dollop of Brylcream no matter what style you asked for, we perhaps now go to the ‘Salon’ and a hairstylist. The college training course obviously involves training these young people on how to engage customers in conversations. The process always begins with: “Are you doing anything exciting this week?” So now instead of the usual……..No, not really…….Going for a walk…..Cutting the grass . NO! you can now say actually I am playing in a top class football tournament. Sometimes over the other side of the country.
2. It helps slow down the onset of dementia
At some sessions there are over thirty other players they have all got a name. The mental sharpness to put a name to thirty odd different faces is keeping our minds active. On occasions when we can't quite remember a team mates names we resort to doing a Trigger by calling everyone ‘Dave’ we're not sure about.
3. Being able to see the shock on the faces of the staff at Sports Direct
The delight we get from the reaction of the lad or lass threading the trainers in Sports Direct when we go in and interrupt them by asking for a new pair of astro-turf trainers that will last at least five years despite the fact we may be well into our seventh decade. “TO PLAY FOOTBALL IN ?????” The surprise on their face that suggests they are not sure whether we will last as long as the trainers.
4. The Post–Match Analysis
It’s great to sit down in the club house after the game with a soup or a coffee and dissect every player’s performance one by one. No-one is exempt from criticism even with a doctor’s note. I have missed this male activity for too many years to mention. It is a tradition that pre-dates history and even Pro Stats on the computer. Football is a game of opinions and it is great to be able to share them again.
5. Extracting the Michael
As you stand on the pitch with the game going on around you, it is possible to switch off and get on with the important things. You have an hour to hone your skills as an alternate comedian so you need to concentrate, not on the football, but on making up mildly amusing one-liners about the mishaps of the other players, spectators and assorted passers by.
6. "The Waking Food was fantasy this more"
As we still try to master the use of our low tech mobile phone "The Walking Football was fantastic this morning" is helping us come to terms with the invention of predictive text. But for now the message in bold is the one I can manage to send to all of the contacts on my phone………. even though my local plumber didn't really give a toss about the Waking Food.
7. Doctors, Blood Pressure Tablets and Us
Walking Football is perhaps helping us get the upper hand with the medical profession about whether the blood pressure tablets they are prescribing are not worth the side effects. Losing weight and taking exercise are working better than growing an extra head.
8. Interest in the Wider World
I now watch STV local weather reports every Monday, and Wednesday to check on weather conditions for the next days football. The Walking Football is widening our horizons………some of you have even been to Stenhousemuir and Ayr!
9. Messi Moments
Once in a while during a game something special happens for you… a nutmeg… a dribble (not from the mouth)…a shot… a defence splitting pass… a soaring header, or whatever floats your boat......and then your inner Messi is released.
10. Disbelief
That at our age we are still able to "play" this incredible game after years of assuming our playing days were long gone!!
Low Impact Tackling
As the senior player comes more into his twilight game, it is all the more important that players take accute responsibility in their ethos and approach to tackling. Bones may be a little more brittle, and composite tissue more susceptible to tears and bruising. Recovery and rehabilitation for the senior player takes more time than when in youth. Rules state that tackling is to be of 'low impact, with no ankle wrapping or tackling from the side and behind. Winning the ball must be clean and fair.'
Far too often feedback is that the game is too physical. Players are over-committing to tackling and when the ball is moved quicker than the opponent has perceived, tackles end up as fouls, players getting hurt.
Referees need to pay particular attention to this part of the game, and start asserting some essential authority to poorly timed tackles, over-competitive urgency and in some cases - out and out fouling. Often these types of tackles occur in places where there is no real danger or threat on goal - so in essence - are they really necessary?
Walking Football can be referred to as 'the gentleman's game,' and players have to consider the impact their conduct towards tackling affects other people. The rule is their to protect each participant - regardless as to whether in social session or competitive meetings.
Far too often feedback is that the game is too physical. Players are over-committing to tackling and when the ball is moved quicker than the opponent has perceived, tackles end up as fouls, players getting hurt.
Referees need to pay particular attention to this part of the game, and start asserting some essential authority to poorly timed tackles, over-competitive urgency and in some cases - out and out fouling. Often these types of tackles occur in places where there is no real danger or threat on goal - so in essence - are they really necessary?
Walking Football can be referred to as 'the gentleman's game,' and players have to consider the impact their conduct towards tackling affects other people. The rule is their to protect each participant - regardless as to whether in social session or competitive meetings.
English National Tournament in 2017 Goes Non-Contact
"In a huge shift in ethos, WFU have brought forward the inevitable and decided to determine that the English National will be played as a non-contact sport. Perhaps not for the purists or those that enjoy a more physical encounter, it has been deemed necessary to apply the philosophy to safeguard the participants, offer a more level playing field, ease the refereeing burden, and ensure that the tournament sustains a healthy, fair and more enjoyable for all occasion, reducing the risk to injury and sustaining longevity in the sport and the players themselves. It is hoped that this new measure will be supported positively by the majority and accepted by the minority that impact on the game in the negative."
This has been caused due to increased physicality within the game down south. In addition they have also introduced two age groups:
50+ and 60+, as many of the older lads where finding their younger opponents a little too "competitive".
What are the thoughts of Edinburgh's Walking Footballers?
This has been caused due to increased physicality within the game down south. In addition they have also introduced two age groups:
50+ and 60+, as many of the older lads where finding their younger opponents a little too "competitive".
What are the thoughts of Edinburgh's Walking Footballers?