The battle with the weight

[NAE NOOKIE]

Walking football IS THE ANSWER

I first started playing just over 2 years ago, I lasted 30 minutes of my first 60 minute session and couldn't believe how unfit I was. Now I play 2 X 90 minute sessions per week and 3 X 20 minute games one after another when my team plays Scottish league fixtures ... we are currently in 2nd place in a 12 team league

Not long after I started playing I needed my good suit for a funeral and it was at least 2 inches too tight for me even to fasten the button on the trousers ... a few weeks ago I put on the same suit and needed a belt to hold the trousers up. I have not changed my lifestyle one bit, I eat and drink the same rubbish I did 2 years ago, in fact probably more of it and unfortunately still smoke.... my new supermodel type figure is purely down to walking football, if like me you think going to a gym or just running is the height of insanity then walking football is for you.

Walking football clubs will accept anybody regardless of ability, fitness sex or even age ... though almost every organised tournament is 50+ .... in Scotland there are currently over 80 clubs almost all of whom are members of the newly established governing body 'Walking football Scotland' who have the full backing of the SFA, SPFL, Scottish government and a number of charities like Age Scotland. The number of clubs is growing all the time and there are currently over 2,000 people playing the sport.

In Edinburgh there are 100 people registered with Hearts walking football with 50 players not unusual at their sessions. Edinburgh City also have approximately 50 players and a new club 'Oriam' ( the name speaks for itself ) have around 50 players as well. Spartans have up to 20 players and there are more new Edinburgh teams in the pipeline in Corstorphine community centre and Edinburgh south community club.

For info see
http://walkingfootballedinburgh.weebly.com/


In the Borders Peebles, Galashiels, Kelso, Hawick, Coldstream and Lauder all have teams or walking football groups and that's in so called Rugby territory.

Football aside, the social side and camaraderie will take you back to your sport playing youth, folk are just as daft as they were back in the day, but the stories are better I would also mention that there are many tournaments organised in Europe during the summer and I know a good few people who have hugely enjoyed taking part, including myself, I know that Midlothian / Loanhead walking football team played in Jamaica a few weeks back.

There is absolutely no downside to walking football and I simply cant recommend it highly enough

I note a poster further back on the thread saying he tried Waking football but hated it 'because he can still run' .... about 90% of folk who play walking football can still run, that's why not running is rule one page one chapter one of the rule book. Not running is a discipline of walking football and a small price to pay in return for the huge benefits to be gained from it

Current Scottish Walking football league 2018 standings after 3 fixtures out of 22:

Hearts 56
Gala Fairydean Rovers
Hearts 98
North Lanark Leisure
Ayr United, Parkhouse
Ayr United Beresford
Glasgow Sport West
Glasgow Sport East
Oriam
Motherwell
Fife Wanderers
Stenhousemuir

Sorry for but if you think I cant shut up about Hibs don't even get me started on Walking football, the best thing I have ever done