Melton Walking Football team urge more people to try the sport

Players at a Melton walking football team are urging more people to sign up to the sport after as their team goes from strength to strength.

The team, who play at Melton Town FC's ground in Burton Road, Melton, have a big age range and enjoy meeting every Friday night for some exercise and catch ups about the old days of football in Melton.

Walking football is played at walking pace, with players not allowed to run. This includes with the ball or off the ball, and includes jogging.

Members meet up at Signright Park every Friday. Photo: Supplied

Dean Williams who is one of the players said it helped him after a recent operation.

He said: "I started walking just over a year ago Feb 22nd 2022. We have approx 40 players signed up, oldest being 74. It has helped massively with physical and mental wellbeing after Covid. We have great fun, banter and its competitive as we all want to win, plus we have a drink afterwards in The Pitchside Lounge sharing old stories."

The team meet every Friday up at Signright Park, the home of Melton Town FC, between 7pm and 8pm

Dean (Centre) enjoys some refreshments during a session with teammates. Photo: Supplied

Dean, who is a regular attendee at Melton's fixtures as a proud member of the #PorkPieArmy added: "Some of the players I hadn't played on the same team since at school in 1984. I played through pain last year as I needed a new knee but I wanted to meet up with old mates. I had a new knee on November 1st and I made my come back last week, 12 weeks after the op.

The oldest team member is currently 74. Photo: Supplied.

Everyone who plays have thanked me for organising each week and getting them out enjoying playing footie again."

The team are working on a team name, currently 'Melton Town Old Strollers FC' is favourite.

Anyone is welcome to attend the sessions and try it out to see if it's for you.