Over 50s are dusting off their football boots and coming out of retirement for a game of walking football.
Islington Gazette reports that the new weekly sessions, run by the London Football Association, kicked off on Tuesday at Islington’s Market Road Astro Turf Pitches. The launch was celebrated with a 10-aside tournament of walking football players and ex-pros on October 26.
Paul Mortimer, an ex-Palace, Charlton and Fulham midfielder who was plagued with hamstring and back injuries throughout his career, is one of the game’s most high profile advocates. “There may be some people who are anxious about playing football because they might think they’re not physically capable, but walking football removes these barriers meaning everyone can give it a try,” he said.
Created in 2011, walking football sees players briskly walking through matches to reduce the risk of pain and injury. The Market Road sessions run every Tuesday and Sunday from 10am to 11am. Sessions cost £3.00. Arsenal in the Community also holds sessions at the Arsenal Hub, every Sunday from 9.45am to 11am.
(Story source: Islington Gazette)
