With football being the phenomenon it is, it comes as no surprise that walking football is so popular amongst those over 50. However, walking football is not just for keeping fit, it plays a large part in impacting the mental health of the older generation.
Anthony Monaghan, 71, is an active participant in the weekly walking football sessions, having first taken part in 2014 after retiring.
Anthony described how, after eight years of playing regularly, he was forced to stop temporarily when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago.
He said: “I had my prostate removed last year and came back to playing earlier this year. For six months, I couldn’t do anything and had to stop playing. But since I’ve been back, I feel like I have got fitter by taking part in the sessions, fitter in terms of what a 70-year-old can be.
“When I got the cancer diagnosis, this was my goal to get back to. I have to keep getting checked and, touch wood, I’m still clear, but I feel great and this has helped.”
Kevin Longbottom, 76, described how he began playing in Eccles in 2010, and they were lucky if they got numbers of 10. The group now has over 100 members and usually gets 35-40 turning up every week.
He described how: “When you retire, the options if you are reasonably fit and you want to do sport are to go to the gym or play a bit of badminton or tennis.
“But I think then it’s a bit individual. Whereas with football, it brings us all back to when we were 21, playing as a team, having a laugh and enjoying it. And a great way of keeping fit.”
The men also described how it was a great way to make friends, with Anthony and Kevin first meeting at an international tournament in Spain.
Kevin described how the group also have the “odd” curry night and a trip to the races.
Eric Lowndes, 72, another active member of Salford Community Walking Football Club, first began walking football after he had a stroke when he was 60.
Speaking about his stroke, he said: “This affected me more mentally than physically, and my wife was a bit worried about me, I just hadn’t really gone out for about six months. She knew there was walking football going on in Irlam inside and I somewhat reluctantly went down. Since then, I’ve been with them for around 11 or 12 years.”
Eric went on to describe how many of the members have hidden disabilities, with many having prostate operations or bowel cancer.
“Our range goes from some very good players to some not very good players, but it doesn’t really matter because we all come down for a game, that’s our philosophy and that’s why I think it’s been successful.
“Men, I think, aren’t recognised as being particularly good at sociability really. The main thing is you can come and just play for an hour and go home if you want to, and during that time, you’re socialising, but there’s nothing formal about it, and those who want to come afterwards can come for a coffee.
“We all still think we are great footballers, in our heads we’re still flying down the wing.”
The group also have sessions on Tuesday nights for those over 50 who still work but want a game of football where they won’t get injured.
Anthony described how many players that he played with would not go out socially unless they played, he said: “It’s a way of getting out of the house and meeting other people.
“It’s inclusive. It doesn’t matter if you’re not that technical with your feet. You’re taking part and that’s what’s important.”
Bill Cameron, 79, described how he first started when he was 69, and within six months of starting he played an international tournament in Portugal for his 70th birthday.
“You don’t have to play a brilliant game for the full 60 minutes. If you come out and recognise your age and abilities, you might get three or four great moments during the game, you might not score a goal but might nutmeg someone.
“I think it is important because you go on the pitch and hear people calling you by your name. It makes you realise that you are recognised and are an important part of the team. If people know your name, then they have got an interaction with you – it makes you feel good about yourself.
The group also collect for a charity each year, helping charities in and around Salford. Last year, they raised £500 for Wood Street Children’s Mission, a children’s charity helping children and families living on a low income in Manchester and Salford.
Salford u3a also host a walking football group in Salford, taking part alternate Thursdays from 10-11am.
I spoke to a participant of the walking football groups, to see if this experience was universal across the groups in Salford.
Bernard McGrath who takes part in the walking football group u3a Salford offer, spoke to me about his experience.
The sessions, which began in the summer have provided an opportunity for him to “get a bit of exercise and socialise, to mix with other people who were no longer working full-time.”
Bernard said he believed it was good exercise, and even though you are just walking, it is surprising how it gets your heart rate up.
He said: “I recommend anybody to have a go at doing it, there are people in the group who have never played football. It doesn’t require a great deal of skill or knowledge, you can pick it up very quickly and the group is very friendly and everyone’s welcome.”
He believed it was about: “Having a chance to have a bit of a chat with people and a bit of a laugh.”
U3a host many different groups for those no longer in full-time employment to participate in and make new friends across Salford.
The groups are run by members, and there are many different types of groups and organisations within, with walking football, croquet in the summer and more educational groups, such as a book club and language studies.
Janice McGrath is the organisation’s head of publicity. She explained why the the walking football groups were important and answered the all-important question: do they help with mental health?
“It’s a very sociable organisation and gives people an opportunity to keep active while learning,” she said.
“It’s an opportunity for people to meet new people, so it’s enabling them to get out, meet people, enjoy a more sociable life. Anything people can do to keep connections with people and get out into the great outdoors is definitely good for peoples mental health.”
Both these groups stressed the importance of these activities being accessible to as many people as possible. When playing football, everyone involved looked so healthy and happy and, after hearing their experiences, it is clear they were not always.
After speaking to both of these groups, I believe the importance of availability to activities such as these is vital, the men I spoke to looked so healthy and happy, and after listening to their experiences, it’s clear that they were not always.
Walking football gives them something to look forward to, something to keep them fit, and a place to meet new people, why wouldn’t this be the best new thing?
Mind in Salford, who provide mental health support for Salford residents, also encourage taking part in physical activity. Alison Watson, the business development and learning manager said: “Physical activity is more than just good for your body, it’s a powerful tool for your mind too. From boosting mood and confidence to easing stress and anxiety, exercise plays a key role in improving mental wellbeing.
“In Salford, there’s an amazing variety of movement activities and community groups available, offering something for everyone, no matter your ability or interests. While barriers like time, money, or stigma can make it challenging, finding the right activity, no matter how small, can make a world of difference.
“You don’t have to do it all at once, just moving, in whatever way feels right for you, can open the door to better mental health.”
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