Hello good morning.
 Well . LIFE IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN!
I started this blog to emphasise to the older generation what they can achieve through exercise and sport. Mine being walking football.
For those of you that have scrolled through the blog you will have read my testament and that of several of my fellow players, to the joy and fitness we get out of walking football.
Not just exercise but playing the game we love, some for the first time, many reliving past memories, the social side too, meeting new friends, the banter on and off the field. Once a man twice a boy in full.
Life truly is not all it seems.
Some weeks ago a GP called me in to see her to discuss a health check I had volunteered to take. She told me that their computer flagged up based on the information, I had a 35% chance of a heart attack at the age of 75. (well no shock there). She asked would I consider taking statins now, as their new strategy was preventative medicine rather than cure.
Are you telling me to take them I asked.
No it is your choice she replied.
Well I would prefer not too, I have read about them, my wife takes them and does not like them.
On the up side she agreed as my records showed the following :
My boods & blood pressure were fine.
I had lost 10lbs in weight.
I was no longer after a short spell considered to have type2 diabetes.
Last but not least I was doing 2 / 1/1/2
Hrs of walking football sessions per week.
 I walked out of the surgery feeling pretty good.
ALas life is not all what it seems.
03/05/2019 I was at my 2nd session of the week at Desborough Leisure centre. Here those who attend are split into teams of 5. We play 5 minute games, so on average we can play 2 games then sit out for 1.
My team of the day started of with 2 draws and a win. I had 2 assists
, 1 goal and was enjoying the moment.
During the third game my vision became more blurred than usual as I play without my glasses, zig zags started to appear around my eyes.
Whilst standing out and watching the next game I could not see the guy standing to my left out of the corner of my eye. I just thought it was sweat.
I started my 4th game but soon had to pull out.
Everyone rallied round got me a chair , sat me down asked my symptoms.
I said it was probably a migraine as I often got zig zags,  took pain killers and they would go.
After the sessions some of us have a coffee and some banter, I still could not see the guy sitting to my left. Another guy gave me a couple of paracetamol.
Then it was time to go home. My 2 chums from school would not let me drive home and kindly made sure my car and myself were delivered home.
They left, my sight came back, I showered told my wife I needed to go to bed.
I don't remember much about the next couple of days apart from being tired and bed sore.
 Monday arrived, felt a bit better.
Tuesday much the same. An engine mount I ordered for my car arrived so I got ready and fitted it. Took the car for a test drive. The vibration I was getting had gone, job done.
I went indoors told my wife I was going in the shower, I was not feeling good and she would need to take me to the surgery.
Some 6 hours or so later I'm I'm Northampton General Hospital being told I had most likely had a TIA episode at the football.
Transient ischaemic attack, small or minor stroke!  stroke.org.uk
On the Thursday a specialist confirmed that I had a TIA. Put me on some medication (ironically one is a statin), sent me home and said carry on as normal.
I do have to have an MRI scan to see if any damage occurred during the attack. Just waiting for an appointment.
I have written this story to let you know if you or someone you are with experience what I did.
A TIA is considered an emergency and you should ring 999.
It is not the end of the world life can go on.
Just keep taking the tablets.
Me, taking a couple of weeks off the football, then see about easing my way back in.
Good luck all

Hi
As promised here is the match report from Sunday's game 28th April
                                                    Desboro'/Corby V Irthlingborough Diamonds.

D &C played in Orange & Black with Diamonds in White & Blue, it turned out to be a feisty game with both sides pushing the walking football rules to the limit & sometimes beyond.
The task of keeping both teams in check fell to one of the Desborough committee John Sheldon. Overall in his first game as ref he did a good job.

D&C back row : (left to right) Kev Smith, Pete Bird, John Cowie,Paul Steadman, Bob King, Ray Shillito, Bob Raines. front row (left to right) Max, James Hay,Chris Malde,Pete Williams. with Chris lurking in the back row Desborough Leisure centre coach.

 D&C got of to a flying start with a goal in less than ten seconds, followed by a second in under two minutes. Diamonds looked stunned. to their credit they re-composed themselves and managed to pull the game back to 2-2.
The pattern of the game remained the same with D&C taking the lead & Diamonds drawing level.
Diamonds showed why their experience and reputation for being a good side, but D&C's determination to become a force in the local "Walking Football" circuit shone through.
Penalties were scored at both ends, one a piece, due to some excellent goal keeping on both sides the score would have been a lot higher.

The teams were 8 a side with 4 roll on/off subs giving everyone a chance to take part. There was as you would expect plenty of friendly banter going on at pitch side as the game was being played, conditions after the windy weather were perfect, contributing to the game.

The match consisted of 3/ 30 minute sessions with a short break to take on water. The age group of the players ranged from 50 to 73 which is amazing and credit must be given to the stamina and skill these players have at their age. It also shows what "Walking Football" has done for the well being of the older generation who thought they would never play the game they love again.

THE FINAL SCORE

D&C 8-7 DIAMONDS

Well done to everyone who took part 

Refreshments were enjoyed by both teams after the game @ the Ritz Desborough thanks to

 Chris Malde & his team.

"RETHINK RETIREMENT"

Hi 

Once again Desborough & Corby are combining to compete in a friendly match, this coming Sunday 28th April against Irthlingborough Diamonds.

The venue for the game is Desborough Leisure Centre NN14 2JJ.

Refreshments will be available after the game @ the Ritz in Desborough NN14 2RL.

a match report and photo's will be published next week.

Good luck to both teams.

Mean while find below another taster to what Walking Football ia achieving around the country

England Regional Walking Football Trials for 60

Hi
Just a little reminder of what can be achieved through walking football.
Rethink Retirement

Hi all
Not much happening on the local walking football scene at the moment, other than the weekly sessions that are still going strong.
Corby in particular have seen a few new faces over the last couple of weeks, let's hope they have enjoyed it and continue with their involvement.
I have recently filled in a survey for the FA, regarding walking football competitions, which emphasis' how big the game is growing.
There are a couple of dates available for up and coming tournaments in the summer.
Saturday 22nd June.
Oundle Walking Football Festival
7 a side
Rules to be confirmed
£5 each player £50 per team
Includes acces to music event after and a burger.

Rushden & Diamonds
Sunday 14th July
50+ age group
7 a side - squad of 10
Outdoor on grass
FA rules
Played at Islip
11am - 4 pm
Refreshments available on the day
£3 per player  £30 per team

Please if you have any comments about your own walking football experience and what you get out of it, feel free to comment.
It would be great to hear from you.

Hi
Just to let you know i have just found out how to activate the comment gadget. Just click on the word comments. 
As i have said in the past it would be great to hear from you guy's out there who play walking football, what you get out of it and where you play.
Bye for now.

Hi
As promised a selection of photo's from Desborough Walking Football Tournament.

 A good day was had by all helped by the decision of Desborough's commitee to use one referee for all the games.
It turned out to be a wise decision as the continuity of  the refereeing left the players knowing what to expect each game.
the duty fell to Ray Shillito who was congratulated by all the players on a job well done.

Photo' were mainly provided by Paul Steadman, who like Ray is a regular walking footballer at both Corby & Desborough.

Paul in seen above in action the last of the Mohicans. 

Finally this is what it was all about the Trophy.

And the winning team CORBY TOWN WALKING FOOTBALL TEAM

The age group of the winning of the winning team is 52-73 so when you see the slogan to

                                   RETHINK RETIREMENT look what can be achieved

                                                                WELL DONE LADS