Ageing athletes defy limits as England’s walking footballers’ storm onto the global stage
As England’s over-70s team lined up for their final training session before heading to Spain for the World Nations Cup, the air was thick with tension and sweat. For a sport defined by restraint, walking football looks anything but gentle. Voices echoed across the pitch, tackles came in hot, and one player even saw red for grabbing an opponent’s arm and blocking a certain goal.
“People would be surprised by how competitive it is, how physically demanding it is, and how quick it gets, not because players run, but because the ball moves fast when played properly,” said Gareth Lewis, manager of England’s over-70s side.
Walking football has quietly become one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports, attracting thousands of older players who refuse to slow down. Born in Chesterfield in 2011 as a way to help older men exercise safely, it has exploded into an international movement.
“Here we are 14 years later, and it’s probably one of the fastest-growing sports in the world,” said Stuart Langworthy, who manages England’s over-60s team. “We’ve got community clubs, national leagues, FA Cups — even world tournaments.”
The sport’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The inaugural World Nations Cup, held in 2023 at St George’s Park, saw 28 teams from 17 countries compete. England walked away with both trophies — the over-50s and over-60s titles. This year’s event, beginning Monday in Spain, is even bigger: 70 teams from 30 nations, including new categories for women and over-70s.
Embed from Getty Images“It was an amazing experience,” said Tony Jones, 70, a former over-60s champion and now captain of the over-70s team. “It’s hard to describe what it means to represent England again.”
The 2025 tournament introduces three women’s divisions — over-40s, over-50s, and over-60s — reflecting how rapidly the sport is diversifying. Among those joining the women’s squad is Morag “Maggie” Pearce, one of the original Lionesses from the 1970s and 80s.
“The women’s game is typically younger,” explained Langworthy. “A lot of them want to stay fit but don’t enjoy gyms or running. Walking football gives them that team spirit — and it’s inclusive.”
Over 100,000 players across the UK now lace up for walking football every week. Many live with chronic conditions like arthritis or heart disease, yet find renewed vitality on the pitch. The rules — six-a-side, no contact, no tackling from behind, one foot always grounded — may seem tame, but veterans say they make the game more strategic and skilful.
“It’s a game of technique and control,” said Graham Collier, a veteran player. “You’ve got to think faster and move smarter.”
What began as a small community initiative has become a movement built on resilience, camaraderie, and the refusal to fade quietly. Behind every slow stride is fierce pride — a testament to ageing athletes proving that drive and passion don’t retire.
As England’s senior squads prepare for Spain, there’s more than just pride at stake. They’re not only representing their nation — they’re redefining what it means to grow old.