The 2025 FA Walking Football Cup was the biggest and most competitive yet. With over 400 teams participating, it is a remarkable achievement for one club to come out on top with a double win in the Female 40+ and Mixed 60+ categories.

Bolton Arena Walking Football started 10 years ago by ex-Wanderers footballer Marcus Brown with just 1 participant. It has since grown to around 140 male and female players with 13 teams across different age categories.

We spoke with Danni Toward (Female 40+ captain) and Chris Kershaw (Mixed 60+ player/manager) to hear about their experience in The FA Walking Football Cup and find out the secret to a two-time winning club.

1. How would you describe your experience in The FA Walking Football Cup and your journey to the finals?

Everyone involved with Bolton Arena was proud to have two of our teams fight their way through difficult qualifying competitions to make it to the big day at St George’s Park.

The women had suffered heartbreak the previous year, losing on penalties in the final. We found redemption with a very strong performance, going through the group stage undefeated before beating last year’s winners, Nottingham Forest.

The 60+ men arrived having won Lancashire and Regional events. We were left facing 5 of the best teams from around the country and had to call upon all their skills and fighting qualities to reach the final, where they ultimately prevailed on penalties against Portsmouth.

It was a superb event and wonderful that our two teams, who share the greatest mutual respect, could celebrate together on this, the biggest stage.

2. What does winning 2 out of 3 of the categories in The FA Walking Football Cup mean to your club?

It is not easy to properly describe our feelings, but for the same club to win two out of only three national categories is incredible and may never be repeated due to the high quality within England’s walking football community. 

The women regularly train and play with the men, so it is wonderful to be lifting a trophy together. The cup wins demonstrate the ethos we have at Bolton Arena. We regularly support each other at Bolton Arena and it was wonderful to do this on the big stage. 

 3. What has been key to your club’s success in The FA Walking Football Cup?

We have been working hard all year to be the best that we can at the FA Walking Football Cup. We set our goals out early as a squad and then played in as many tough competitions as we could to make sure, we were ready for anything the finals threw at us. On the day, we stuck to our principles and played for each other. 

4. How has the win impacted your club and walking football in Lancashire?

Everyone at the club is still buzzing about the win. We all have fond memories of the day and it is discussed in every session. I firmly believe that we have the best walking football leagues in the country. Having two FA cup champions playing in those leagues, cements that claim. We can only grow the sport in the area. 

The interest generated within the club around this event has been very significant and will hopefully mean that more people join us.

5. What are your clubs hopes for the future within walking football?

At Bolton Arena walking football is about possibility. It's proof that football doesn't stop because we get older - it simply changes pace. The love of the game, the thrill of the pass, the joy of a goal, they're all still there.

We want to make new connections, play, laugh and belong. The players alongside us and those we face, are from all kinds of backgrounds. The moment the whistle blows we all share something powerful. For us, it is more than sport, it's about a community and the more we can give to that community the more the game grows.

6. How would you encourage new people to get involved with walking football?

Sign up now and give it a go. We encourage dropping by to view a session taking place as this is the greatest advert for anyone who may have a mis-preconception or reluctant to experience the sport. There are different sessions you can attend, so if you want a social kick-about or a highly competitive game, there is something out there for everyone!

The FA Walking Football Cup will be back in 2026 and you can now express your interest and have your say on future competitions here: https://www.englandfootball.com/play/ways-to-play/walking-football/Playing-Walking-Football/Walking-Football-Cup

Feel inspired and want to participate, referee, or deliver your own sessions? Find out more here: https://www.englandfootball.com/play/ways-to-play/walking-football