Despite the appalling weather there was a good turnout of club members and newcomers to the recent Winchester Walking Football Club (WWFC) open day, at the University of Winchester Sports Stadium.

Following a brief introduction to walking football by Heather Kirkland who is the manager of the WFA South East Region Women’s Over 60s and newly appointed WFA England Women’s Over 60s team, there was the usual warm up followed by some skills coaching and practice before starting a series of short games. There was the usual mix of WWFC ladies and men, as well as newcomers, and sides were selected to reflect all abilities and ages.

This was good preparation for an exhibition match between Winchester and X Saints, a Southampton women’s team which includes some of the Southampton women players from the 70s / 80s FA Cup winning side and two of England’s 1972 Legends.

The match was a close fought contest ending in a diplomatic and fair 1-1 draw. The scorers were Barry Poffley for Winchester and Sarah Worsley for X Saints.

As the match drew to a close, the Deputy Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith, arrived along with a break in the rain, to witness the women’s team score their equaliser.

The club was supported recently by grants from Winchester City Council and the Football Foundation enabling it to buy additional goalposts and other equipment which visitors were able to see.

A free prize draw was won by one of the newcomers who, having played much of the afternoon, was rewarded with a bottle of champagne.

The Deputy Mayor was keen to have his photograph taken alongside one of the England Legends, Morag Pearce (nee Kirkland), who has recently received her England cap, she is also captain of the England Over 60s Women’s Walking Football team.

The event was a success despite the deluge, and the club was glad to see some new faces showing an interest in the game.

Walking Football is open to men over 50 and women over 40 and is one of the fastest growing games in the UK. 

Winchester Walking Football Club meets every Tuesday at 10am on the all-weather pitch, within the University of Winchester Sports Stadium off Milland Road, Winchester, SO23 0QA. Access is also available from the rear of Winchester Sport and Leisure Park.

For more information: winchesterwalkingfc.com.