The rise in popularity of walking football has become an effective way of combatting loneliness.
The sport has grown in the last decade, and there are various teams throughout Merseyside that run weekly games aimed at encouraging participation amongst the over 55’s.
Formed in 2016, The LFC Foundation’s “Red Neighbours” is a community engagement team formed to tackle issues such as food poverty and social isolation around Anfield, Kirkby and Melwood.
As part of their outreach, Red Neighbours runs weekly walking football teams for men and women.
“It’s inclusive and people feel that they are a part of something rather than sitting at home and feeling isolated” said Mark Henderson, senior coordinator at the LFC Foundation.
Mr. Henderson also spoke of the passion of the players during the games.
“It became quite apparent that with a few of the participants, they weren’t walking! If you come down to some of the games you’d think it was the Champions League final!”
There are now over 700 official walking football clubs in England, and in January the England Parkinson’s walking football team participated in a tournament in Tampa, Florida.
“One of my tasks was to organise a walking football team. We started with about six men, and now we have about 90” said Billy Bygroves, Chaplain of Liverpool Football Club.
Speaking about the men’s team, Mr. Bygroves remarked that the team was like a “band of brothers”.
The growth in participation speaks to the popularity of the sport on Merseyside, and the team’s impact on its members cannot be overstated.
“For me it’s the best thing I ever done” said Geoffrey Hill, a regular player with the men’s Red Neighbours team.
“You meet nice people, I’ve kept myself fit, and I’d recommend anybody to do it”.
Mr Hill’s teammate, Steve Dunkerley, said the team has given him a ‘new lease of life’.
“It really has improved my whole wellbeing. Mentally it’s gave me a big lift”.
Featured Image by Robert Cutts licensed by Creative Commons.
