In our opening Blog Post, we hear from Mark Blythe about his roles in Walking Football and what it means to him....

Walking Football has taken over my life at the possibly nearing retirement age of 63.

My involvement has grown steadily during the 8 years I have been playing this wonderful game and I now have the following roles:

• Chairman and Chaplain at Walton Walking Football (WWF) Club in Surrey.
• Organiser of the Surrey FA (SFA) Walking Football League.
• Fulltime Adapted Sports Co-ordinator (Walking Football) at Chelsea Foundation.
• Sessional Walking Football & Sporting Memories Coach at Fulham Foundation.
• FA Level 7 & Walking Football Referee.
• Member of the FA Walking Football Advisory Group.

I first heard about, and was invited to play, walking football when Surrey FA set up a session at Elmbridge Xcel Sports Complex in Walton on Thames in June 2014. Our first few weeks were 2-a-side across the gym and gradually week by week numbers increased. After a few months SFA asked me if I would lead the group so they could set up elsewhere, little did I know how the new form of football would grow and grow. We now have 8 sessions and 200 participants every week.

Loneliness was just beginning to be mentioned as a national issue when we started our walking football and it soon became evident that it is a real problem with our 50+ age group. Many of the guys were single, recently retired, missing workmates, bored and craving banter, chat, laughter and fun. Walking football provided answers to all those issues and new friendships were instantly set up. Those mental and social benefits were also matched by the health and physical improvements that the football gave with many losing weight, getting stronger, reducing diabetes scores etc. The highlight for me is seeing the other social groups springing up from the walking football. We now have a WWF Allotment and groups that play badminton, walking cricket, golf, parkrun (yes they are allowed), watching local football teams and music groups and a quiz team that travels around local pubs.     

I have seen the rules adapt and change every year from scoring a header at a corner to 3 touch only, no goalkeepers and none contact football. All our changes have been brought in to keep players safe and maintain the fun. It’s great that England Football (the new branding of the FA) have produced a set of laws for us to follow and especially that they include some local rules that we can include if preferred. When we travel to away games we always fit in with the local rules and take it as an opportunity to experience a different way of playing. In Belgium they play without keepers and with smaller goals. Many teams play with unlimited touches though we have found that this encourages more running and contact, so we only play 3 touch in our County League and local sessions.

I love hearing the different ways/rules that people play and their views on the various social media groups and forums. As long as people accept others views politely without being rude these groups are very helpful. I’ve been privileged to be invited as a grass roots walking footballer/organiser to be part of the FA Walking Football Advisory Group and to be able to see the investment in the future of this growing form of football.  It’s great to know that England Football are launching TeamWalk Online and my hope is that people at all levels and roles in the game will positively engage with the platform and help to shape the development of the came for the next few years and beyond.

Please share your journey and experiences in Walking Football so far, in the comments below. It would be great to hear about how you feel about the new TeamWalk Online and how you’re looking to contribute to shaping the development of Walking Football.