THE art of Walking Football is certainly picking up momentum countrywide and here in Somerset with the support of the County FA, writes Merv Colenutt.

From Aaron Clements in particular, who is the Football Development Officer, it appears that those getting involved, are multiplying on a weekly basis writes.

Aaron said: “In times gone by the only engagement in the main for those over 60 years of age, would have been with ex referees inspecting the pitches prior to a possible cancellation of a game with the pitch being flooded, or in a few cases, still coaching, now you have a whole network of hundreds of players over the age of 60, still playing and competing.

“We have had 88-year-olds playing, it’s amazing and those characters from the past days, bring a new air of social ability to our game.

“I know it’s something you have been heavily involved in helping people with peoples well being and mental health and walking football has gone a long way in restoring that faith and confidence in people’s minds.

“There are now around 30 teams in Somerset and with women’s teams on the increase, we now have around 45 teams in Somerset and that will only go on increasing.

“There is not many pockets in Somerset, that doesn’t have a walking football team, so anyone looking to get in contact with us, can do so quite easily by emailing me aaronclements@somersetfa.com or by ringing 01458 832359.

“There are players coming through from the Legends League over 35s, to playing with the over 50s, so in a football prospective, you don’t have to stop playing, that is of course if you are still lucky to have your health.

“There are many doors still open to play football nowadays, with top teams from Weston, Clevedon, Keynsham to Yeovil, these teams have been around  for over 8 years and Keynsham alone have around 150 players signed on to play, it goes to show that the number of players still playing is rising all the time.

“We do have teams that don’t want to play in the leagues and just play friendly events, so we cater for everyone and long may it continue.

Next week, former Bristol Rovers and Stoke City striker Paul Randall tells me how he got into playing walking football and how much it means to him to be able to play the game once more following his long stint as a successful professional footballer.