Slow motion football players walking tall
ASLOWED down version of the beautiful game is seeing players aged will into their 70s taking to the football field.
Walking football games are hitting the target for those recovering from health problems at venues in Woodley, Reddish and Offerton.
The Life Leisure sessions can penalise with a free kick anyone breaking into a run but participants say none of the competitive spirit is lost.
Players range is age from late 40s to late 70s with Fred Fearon, 78, and Peter Deakin, 75, the most experienced.
Peter, of Runnymede Close, Edgeley, has diabetes and heart disease.
He said: “I played hockey until my 40s and when I stopped playing I put a lot of weight on.
“A few years ago my walking became bad and I had problems going upstairs so I hoped walking football would improve my balance, flexibility and movement.
“Once you lose your balance you can lose your confidence. I was a bit sceptical when I first went but it has really helped.
“The fact it is walking doesn’t make a difference, it is competitive but it is really friendly.
“If someone falls over everyone is around to help.”
Sessions are part of Life Leisure’s I Wish I’d Tried programme, which aims to encourage previously inactive people into exercise.
They begin with a 10minute warm up to get everyone ready and include practise drills before a game.
Should the games continue to be a success the teams will look for others in the area to play and hope to eventually form a league.
Ross McGuigan, from Life Leisure, said: “This is a relatively new sport and it is just brilliant. It appeals to a lot of different people both men and women, some having played football in their younger years.
“But they may not have played again if it wasn’t for games of this type. It’s great for older people, those with mobility issues or people just getting back into exercise..
“When the matches get underway it can get fairly competitive.”
One hour sessions are at Stockport Sports Village, Woodley, on Wednesdays at 11am, Houldsworth Village, Reddish, on Modays at 11am and Life Leisure Dialstone, Offerton, on Wednesdays at 8.30pm.
There is another at Reddish North Football Club on Wednesdays at 2pm. Each cost £1, call 482 0924 for more information.