The Club now has over 110 members and new players join every month. Below are some comments from people who have started playing recently.

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Steve's initial impressions of the Club have been extremely positive. "From the moment I joined, I found it to be a welcoming and inclusive environment, with members being both supportive and passionate about the sport" he says. He was looking for a way to stay active and involved in sport without the intensity of traditional football and walking football offers the perfect balance - it’s competitive, a good social environment, great for fitness but also low-impact. 

 

"I appreciated how welcoming everyone was from the start (special mention to Bob Berry) and it was easy to find ways to participate. One thing that stood out was how well-organised things are with the What’s app group.  It made it easy to stay informed and engaged. In general, I really enjoy being a part of the Club."

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Ian, who recently turned 63, has spent his working life in construction and his knees have taken a bit of a hammering over the years but has found that walking football is an ideal activity as players can adjust the pace of the game to their own level. His motivation to take up the sport was to keep fit and have some fun doing it. He says that "it's a really good way of meeting new people. I use the gym and I enjoy cycling but they can be a bit solitary at times. It's so nice to play a team sport with guys of a similar age who can remember the players I know from my youth."

 

He has been impressed from the first moment he walked into the Club, for the first free trial playing session, that he was made to feel very welcome by the guys who were there who started to chat to him straight away and gave good advice on taking it easy so as not to get and injury or pull a muscle etc. He likes how encouraging the lads are during the game and also how they stop the game to make sure people are OK if there's been a fall or the occasional ball in the face.

 

Ian plays at Dronfield and comments that "with regards to the playing facilities, I think that all the fellas are aware that the playing surfaces are not the best. It was explained that other venues had been looked at but were hard to book. It's not a major problem and doesn't spoil my enjoyment. I look forward to being part of the Club for many years to come. It's great value for money. You can be a member for the price of 2 cups of coffee every month. It's brilliant."

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Pete thought that due to the ravages of time and two hip replacements his football playing days were over but with encouragement from his wife he has recently joined the Club and it has made a world of difference. He says that "my general demeanour has improved which has been noted by my family and friends.  My outlook is more positive and I have a goal. I attend a local gym but find the interaction with other members, whilst amiable, lacked the banter and inclusivity found in a football setting."

To those people who are thinking of taking up walking football on a regular basis he would advise them to "crack on and get involved. What have you got to lose?  All abilities are welcomed and the worse that can happen is to find it’s not for you." Since joining Pete has been offered the chance to represent the Club at over 70's level in a 6 a-side league.  As he says "competitive football at 70, who would have thought it? Bring it on!"

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David quite recently retired and was looking to keep active and had always enjoyed playing football so 'Senior Spireites Walking Football' fitted the bill well. Initially, his daughter found the Club's website by chance and then told him about it.

 

At his first walking footy session he was overwhelmed by how friendly everyone was. David felt part of the group straight away and felt very welcome. He said "some of the guys were giving me instructions on the rules but there was also friendly banter. I was pleased to learn there is an initial warm-up session before we play and everyone followed these exercises."

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In the past 12 months he has had two hip replacement operations and was conscious of this and not wanting to get hurt but all has gone well. Having never played walking football before, he found the game good fun and quite competitive. He says "there is lots of team comradery and support which is great. In fact, for me, these sessions are more about making friends and having fun than the game itself.."