Dear Editor,
It was good to read Pat the Expat’s feature on walking football (WF). Let us hope that it will encourage more of the older generation to take up the sport under the banner of ‘Fun, Fitness and Friendship’.
Whilst WF in the modern era may have started in the UK in 2011, the origins of the game pre-date that by at least 80 years. A walking football match between Derby Railway Veterans and Crewe Railway Veterans took place at the Baseball Ground on May 14, 1932. A press report stated that, “bald heads, white moustaches and red faces were the order of the day while one man played in spectacles. The combined age of the two teams was 1,474 years!”
In early 2015, the first ever international walking football event took place in Olhão when CRAP (Cove Rapidly Ageing Pensioners, Farnborough, Hampshire UK) were the visitors. Star player for the home side that day was former British Vice Consul, Clive Jewell.
Two years later, the Olhão walking footballers were invited to introduce the sport to Benfica at the Estádio do Luz where a Benfiquista lady of 91 years demonstrated that you are never too old to have a go!
CHRIS WRIGHT,
Founder & Life President EAWF (East Algarve Walking Football)
