Hi & good morning.

Yesterday saw the 4th session of walking football post lockdown @Desborough, again a good turn out with 22 players. The pitch was split into two with 4 teams of 5 rotating against each other & 2 non playing referees. The games were 10 minutes each and were fast and furious with the players showing a good level of fitness for their ages ( 50 to 75). No prisoners were taken.

Unfortunatley, again, due to playing every game, I was unable to do any video's.

A couple of days ago I sat wondering what it was that inspired me to do a blog on Walking Football. When I 1st started 2 years ago apart from my old mates from school who I mentioned in my 1st post Pete Bird & Ray Shillito (best man @my wedding) I did not know anyone. As the weeks passed I learnt more about the other players as they did me.

 Taking in to account their ages and past & present health issues,

I realised this is what inspired me to do the blog. What these guy's were achieving I believed their story needed to be told, hopefully to inspire others into realising to a degree age & health issues need not be a burden.

If you have read earlier posts in the blog you will have noticed I, as a few others, do 2 sessions a week, Tuesday morning 11am to 12:30 @West Glebe Sports Pavilion Cottingham road Corby.

Friday morning 10:30am to 12:30pm @Desborough Leisure Centre.

Rob Raynes & John Shelton (founder members @Desborough) both underwent major heart surgery, Rob has a pacemaker fitted, he is 69 touching 70 years old & one of the fittest & robust opponents you will come up against, he gives a lot of credit to his fitness to the pacemaker regularly playing & very active in arranging the sessions. John 74 years old, had triple heart by pass surgery like Rob before their operations could barely cross the road. Now they manage this 2 hour session as well as anyone.

James Hay is one of the younger player in his early 50's, he suffers from Bipolar and is unable to work.

James loves his football and usually gets an extra session in or two a week. It helps to keep him focused and eases the burden of his condition.

Ray Shillito is like Rob 69 touching 70. Ray underwent surgery a few years ago, some of his internal organs had fused together and needed separated. It took a lot out of Ray But walking football has given him a purpose, a road to fitness.

Bob King, he returned to walking football a few weeks after I started, he had both hip joints replaced, Bob is another one like those already mentioned who loves his football and he was not going to let a little hip surgery stop him playing. It did not take him long to get back up to speed, he is big strong and a tough opponent.

Paul Steadman Like James is one of the younger players. Paul suffered horrendous leg injury in a motor cycle accident. He has built up his body strength at the gym, then got drawn into the Walking Football regime. As a non player of football in the past Paul has picked up the game well and is an integral part of organising the Desborough sessions with Rob & John.

Then there is me. As posted earlier I suffered a T.I.A (mini stroke),it actually happened during the Friday session, then found out the following Tuesday what had happened.

My first appointment with the consultant was on the Thursday, my 1st question was "can I still play football"? Yes was his answer. I last saw him before lockdown my blood pressure was about 135, he said I had to get it down to 120 ish. Then came lockdown. 

My weight climbed from 12st to 12st 6lbs, about the end of may I started to go walking (in addition to walking the dogs) and kicking a ball. Slight change in diet pasta & rice dishes less chocolate and crisps, just enough to take the craving away.

When it was allowed 6 of us met up once a week & had a kickabout, bags as goalposts, just like the school days. Now after 4 sessions @Desborough, one @Corby, for the last week I'm 11st 11lbs and my blood pressure is just below 120, so job done there.

I sincerely hope todays blog gives some of you the inspiration to get off your bum, relive the dream and

                                                                "RETHINK RETIREMENT.

bye for now.