Walking Football is celebrating 10 years in Portugal
It was October 1961 when Helen Shapiro reached Number One in the UK Singles Chart with ‘Walking Back to Happiness’. For the past 10 years, many of those youngsters who bought the record 60 odd years ago have been walking back to happiness through the medium of Walking Football (WF). Introduced to Portugal in September 2014, the sport now has thousands of devotees who each week strap up knees and ankles, gird their loins and massage in muscle rub before venturing forth.
On Thursday, September 12, a 10th anniversary celebration dinner will take place at Centre Algarve, in Moncarapacho, when everyone involved with and supporting walking football is invited to enjoy an evening of fun, frolics and friendship.
Former England international Alan Hudson, who played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Stoke City and the Seattle Sounders, is the after-dinner speaker who has generously donated his time as all proceeds from the evening will help Centre Algarve and its promotion and support for children with special needs.
Ten years ago, Blevins Franks, highly respected international financial management consultants, was instrumental in ensuring the successful launch of WF in Portugal and sponsored the first ever international between teams from Farnborough, Hampshire UK, and the Algarve at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão in February 2015. It is, therefore, fitting that Blevins Franks should be actively involved with the 10th anniversary celebrations.
An early participant in the sport was Wolfgang Eudenbach, who recently sent the following message from his native Germany: “The teammates I met are really something special, always friendly and having encouraging words when someone misses the goal. Nobody judging ability or social status. I have never experienced this in my sports life before.
“This is what makes walking football such a wonderful sport. No matter what age and health drawbacks, believe me I had plenty, getting out on the pitch gave me the adrenaline to stay young in my mind.
“What other sport can report 30 old men getting together in the morning and kicking the ball around? I thank the club and all my teammates for giving me the experience of happiness and balance in life.”
Guests will be serenaded by a saxophonist as they arrive for the celebration dinner and there will be an opportunity to meet the many birds and animals, including meerkats, who live at Centre Algarve. Following a three-course meal with music and entertainment, the evening will be brought to a fitting climax when guests raise a glass of 10-year-old port to toast a remarkable achievement.
Tickets are available through Mark Fox, John Knight, Marc Cruddance and George Allen. Alternatively, for further information and details of tickets, contact Chris Wright:
(00351) 916 504 903 | christopher.wright@hotmail.co.uk
By CHRIS WRIGHT
