Bolton walking footballers represent England at World Championships

Bolton was well represented at the walking football World Championships in Chesterfield.

The event, which took place at the SMH Group Stadium last weekend, saw players from around the world competing in their respective age categories.

There were seven players from the Bolton Arena women’s team representing the country across the 40s, 50s and 60s squads.

Danni Toward, Ellen Thornton and Ruth Harrison helped the 40s finish in first place, winning all their games against Australia, Sweden, France, Wales and Norway.

Elaine Lowe represented the 60s who also finished as winners. Meanwhile, Sharon Entwistle, Sue Kenyon and Mandy Walsh were part of the 50s squad, managed by former Manchester City professional Gary Jackson, who narrowly missed out on top spot.

England also had plenty of success in the men’s categories, finishing top of the 50s, 60s, 65s and 70s age groups.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” Toward told The Bolton News. “With walking football, you have got a real community.

“There are a lot of people who thought that their opportunity to play football had finished and having people from 40 right through to 75 or 80 playing football again, it is such a lovely community of people.

“But when people are on the pitch, they are footballers. At the side of the pitch, I am chatting to Norwegians and Swedes. Then, I get on the pitch and they kick me!

“Especially at the 40s, it is still what I would call ‘proper football’. It is competitive and tactical. We have met people from all over the world.”

Walking football continues to grow as a sport and there are plenty of local clubs for anyone wanting to give it a try.

Toward explained how, in addition to the physical benefits of staying active, it has also had a big effect on many people’s mental wellbeing.

“There is a lot of club football that underpins it all,” she explained. “At Bolton Arena, there are regular opportunities to play. There are loads of different levels really.

“If you just wanted to get involved and have a kickabout on a Thursday night, you can do that or you can go right the way through to playing for England.

“For some of us who have only just finished playing 11s, it is really good there is so much competitive football around where you don’t have chase 18-year-olds around!

“I go down there on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and there are people I wouldn’t have come across in my normal life. We will go for a pint after the game and for some, it is a big part of their social lives.

“The impact on people’s mental health is absolutely massive, just seeing them smiling. Even if they are kicking off at the referee for giving a foul against them, it just gives a different dimension to people’s lives.”