Back of the net as walking football heads to Derbyshire

Walking Football has been continuously developing across Derbyshire over the last 4 years; with 27 turn up and play sessions now available and an increase in the number of individuals participating across the county the FA feel it is the right time to create a Walking Football league to cater for this growth and meet player needs.

This league will be the first of its kind in the UK managed by a committee with fixtures taking place on a home and away basis.

Lauren Mellor, football development officer at Derbyshire County FA said: “This will be the first walking football league to have a Standard Code of Rules and it will greatly support the longevity and development of competitive walking football.

“The committee members and the teams involved have worked tremendously hard over the last few months to ensure that the league structure reflects that of other adult grassroots leagues in Derbyshire with a Standard Code of Rules and constitution in place.”

The teams involved in the new league are the Alfretonians, Heanor Strollers, Senior Spireites Football Club, Matlock Arc and Risley Kicks and they will play up two games a month.

Paul Jackson, league secretary and player for heanor said: “The development and progression of walking football across Derbyshire during the last twelve months has been rapid and it is very exciting that we are now in a position to launch a competitive affiliated league.

“The league has been developed from scratch by the players with the help and expert guidance of Lauren Mellor from the Derbyshire County FA.

“On a personal level it was a fantastic opportunity to be involved from the outset and although at times frustrating it has been an interesting and rewarding experience to be part of. The end product is a league with a solid foundation and structure that will facilitate further development and expansion in the future.”

Paul Bryan, league treasurer and player for Matlock Arc said: “We now have something for everyone at Matlock from our weekly sessions where players of all abilities are welcome to come along, the Derbyshire festivals, which are fully inclusive and give the guys a chance to play against like-minded teams, and now the advent of the competitive league which will be played in the right spirit but also satisfy the competitive edge of the teams.”

If any walking football teams would like to find out more, please contact the League Secretary, Paul Jackson: [email protected]