Hi
The new year got of to a good start with the Corby & Desborough Walking Football session's,
however they have been brought to an abrupt halt with the govermen'ts right decision to minimise if not stop social events.
 A committee from the Corby session's were in the throws of organising a second tournament in aid of the Lakelands Hospice on the 26/04/2020, this is of course is now doubtful, will update any changes.
all for now stay healthy

Corby Walking Football Tournament 03/11/2019

Hello
Corby Sports & Developement along with the Corby Mayor Ray Beeby held the tournament at the West Glebe Pavilion, with all proceeds going to Lakelands Hospice.

Three teams entered, Corby Mkt. Harbro & Rushden & Diamonds.
Corby were short of players, so Harbro 'made up their team when they played Diamonds.
With Diamonds helping out when they played Harbro'
The games were 15 minutes with 3 touch. they were all refereed by Megan Buchan who held her own well against a bunch of grumpy old men
First game featured Diamonds v Harbro'.
 With both teams experienced in tournaments, it was a tight game and no surprise ending in a draw
 1-1.

2nd game was Corby (Diamonds) v Harbro.

After a tense start Corby took the lead when yours truly scored with a 20 yard screamer. Harbro' composed themselves and came back strongly winning 1-3.

Diamonds v Corby (Harbro) followed

With both teams looking for their first win a feisty encounter unfolded with both teams having several good shots well saved.Alas no goals came

 Result 0-0.

Diamonds v Harbro'

Again both sides showed their experience and pushed for goals, both keepers making super saves, both probably earned player of the tournament. Harbro' though eventually managed to break the deadlock . winning 0-1

Corby (Diamonds) v Harbro'

After their win in their previous game Harbro' started confidently another tight game was enjoyed by all with both teams managing 2 goals

Result 2-2

Last game of the day Diamonds v Corby (Harbro')

Both teams were still looking for their first win of the tournament, there were several good shots and saves with Corby(Harbro') managing to get the only goal and hanging on for the win

Result 0-1

        Harbro'   6 Points  Corby+ 4 Points  Diamonds 2 Points

So well done to Harbro' who will receive a trophy once it is etched.

In reality Harbro' finished first and second due to  helping the Corby side out.

With Diamonds finishing second and third due to them also helping out Corby with their contribution.

The real winners though "LAKELANDS HOSPICE"

With Walking Football second 

Hi
I had the privilege of being a guest player at the Moulton Masters 65's Charity Shield Tournament, last friday. 04/10/2019.
I say privilege as that is exactly what it was.
A well organised event with excellent facilities. www.MoultonMastersfc.co.uk
The tournament consisted of 8 teams split into two groups of 4.
I was a guest player for Kettering.

The team shown above back row. Left to right ; Barry. Martin, John, Dave & Paul
                                      front row Left to right ; Clive, Mel, Tony & myself.
I have to give a special mention to Barry 79 years old. Amazing.
Kettering started the tournament against Towcester Losing 2- 1, with me scoring Kettering's only goal after coming on as sub at 2-0 down.

Kettering's second game was against one of the Moulton teams. Kettering won 2-0 courtesy of 

another 2 goals from myself.

Kettering went on to win their next two games, reaching the final of their group.

The final was a tight game ending up 0-0 which took us to the dreaded "penalty shootout".

Unfortunately Kettering lost and i'm sad to say i missed my penalty.

Won 3

Drew 1

Lost 1

quite impressive all the same.

A good day was had by all with the games being played in a good spirit and good refereeing .

WELL DONE TO MOULTON MASTERS & Phil Andrews & his team of organisers

Hi
Yesterday 08/09/2019 Desborough Walking Football Team were invited by Market Harboro', to play a friendly match.
    As usual it was a competitive game, with both sides showing skills and tenacity which belied the average ages of both teams.
  The game consisted of two 30 min. halfs with Desboro' leading 0-1 at half time, courtesy of a goal by Rob Raines.
  Harboro' pressed hard in the second hald but were unable to penetrate the Desboro' defence.
Kris Malde added a second goal, with Rob Raines making it 0-3 with his second.
  Final score M. Harboro'0-3 Desborough.
  A big thankyou to Harboro' for their hospitality which included a fine after match buffet.

Although there are no photo's or video's here is one from Corby's game against Chestnut fc at the Oundle walking football festival.
Corby needed to win this game which they did 1-0, in order to progress in the competition. the first clip shows a fine move by Chestnut, only for the final shot to be well saved by Corby's keeper Pete Williams.

Corby officials are working on an up and coming tournament, they are presently putting out feelers for any teams who may be interested in taking part. More news on that when it becomes available.

Bye for now

Hi
It has been a while.
Life is not what it seems. prt4
I saw the stroke consultant on Wednesday my M.R.I. scan and Ultrasound were clear, good news.
However there was some scaring to the right side of the brain which suggested I had a previous UNDETECTED T.I.A.
This just goes to reinforce my story and the need to share it, you just dont know what is round the corner.
Anyway happy news for me just got to crack on.
Talking of which on 22/06/ 2019 I was part of the Corby Walking Football squad which took part in the 2019 Oundle Walking Football Tournament.

Back row left to right Mick, James Hay, Lyndsey Richards, Derek, Pete Winkleman.
Front row left to right Ray Shilito, Pete Bird capt., Pete Williams, John Cowie.

Corby were up first against Kings Lynne It was a tight game with Corby winning 1-0 with John Cowie scoring the goal.
Corby's second game again was tight with both teams showing some good posession football.
Alas Corby got undone by the bizzare rule, if a defender enters their own penalty area. it is a penalty. this happened twice with Oundle converting both . Corby 0-2 Oundle.

Third game was against Chestnut FC. Captain Pete Bird decided to revert back to the winning team of the first game. As Corby had to win to stay in with a chance of qualifying for the next stage.
It was a hard game and feisty at times, the captains decision paid off as Corby won again by the solitary goal, converted by James Hay Corby 1-0 Chestnut FC.
The fourth game (phew it was getting hot) was against Wisbech, despite a shot from John Cowie which was too quick for the cameraman, but comfortably saved by the Wisbech keeper, Corby conceded to two powerful shots. Corby 0-2 Wisbech.

Fifth game was against Ketetring, another tight game which Corby Lost. Corby 0-1 Kettering.
What got off to a good start by Corby ended with two wins three defeats.
It has to be said, we were there, Corby's squads average age was 66, playing in an over 50's tournament so not too bad. Maybe.
I would like to take the opportunity of thanking our hosts Oundle for putting on a well organised day.
Thankyou to the referee's, including our own Megan Buchanan.
       Cheers 4 now.

Hi
Life is not what it seems. Part 3:
Some good news today my GP has given me the all clear to drive my car. It is 6 weeks today since i had my T.I.A. and although the results from my M.R.I. & Ultrasound are not available yet , i have not suffered any symptoms since.
Good news bad news though, up until the T.I.A. I was working as a semi retired HGV driver.
Due to the stroke my licence is suspended for at least a year.
Good news it has given me the push to retire full time.
Please take this story of mine seriously, a T.I.A. as i have said previously is to be treated as an emergency, stroke.org.uk
It has brought another meaning for me to the phrase "RETHINK RETIREMENT".
To a younger person with a family, mortgage it could have a more profound affect.
So full time retirement bekons, I am back to my two sessions of walking football and looking forward to the Oundle walking football festival on the 22nd of June.When I will be playing for Corby.
Both Corby & Desborough have entered teams so good luck to them both.
As ever I hope to follow up with pictures & video's after the event.
Take care for now.

Hi
Life is not what it seems part 2.
Just a little update on my health. It is 5 weeks today since I had my T.I.A.(mini stroke) stroke.org.uk.
So far so good as the Consultant said carry on as normal and take the subscibed medication.
No results back yet from the M.R.I & Ultrasound on the neck.
I'm back playing walking football, two sessions this week.
Hope to take part in Oundle Towns Walking football festival on the 22 June.
At the Desborough session to day one of the players Andy welcomed me back and showed me a scar on his neck where he had surgery to clear his veins after suffering a T.I.A. 4 years ago. So fingers crossed although Ive had a warning all will be well.
Again i am sharing my story with you to highlight the possibilities of such a thing happening no matter how fit you think are.
Below you will find a team picture of the Desborough team that took part in the recent tournament at Leicester City's Holmes Park stadium as part of Dementia awareness week.
Details of which can be found on LCFC website.
Also below another couple of players have put their comments down as to what walking football has done for them.

      Back row left to right: John Cowie, Pete Bird, Sam Perkins, G.K? ,John Shelton.
      Front row left to right: Chris Gladman, Martin Spencer, Ray Shillito, Rod Raines.

Thats all for now folks and remember to

                                                        RETHINK RETIREMENT