WALKING football players from Barnsley will be stepping overseas as they hope to continue their unbeaten form playing for their country.
The ten-man England squad which travels to Gibraltar this weekend includes two players from Hoyland-based side and former national champions Leggy Mambos. Vic Vaines, 66, from Hoyland, set the club up in 2014, and he will fly the flag for Barnsley alongside retired deputy head teacher Alan Davies, 64.
“I have always played football and never retired,” Alan, from Elsecar, said. “Walking football has been a tremendous opportunity in later life to meet people and enjoy the social and competitive aspect of the game. To play for England still seems surreal.”
Walking football is for people aged over 50 and shares the rules of the standard game with the condition that running is not allowed.
The Leggy Mambos have won more than 20 trophies in the sport and now have three teams over 50s, 60s and 65s. Leggy Mambos players Neil Evans, 55, and Paul Walton, 54, scored England’s first ever walking football goals in a win against Italy over 50s last year. And Vic and Alan will be hoping to follow suit as they face Gibraltar tomorrow. England will play a warm-up match against a team of ex-pats today. They will be aiming to complete a hat-trick of victories when they face Gibraltar after already defeating Italy and Wales.
Manager Stuart Langworthy said: “I never thought in a million years I would be doing this and I am sure every player would say the same. It is a massive honour to be doing what we are doing. It is a big do in Gibraltar as we are playing at the national stadium on the international pitch.
“There will be all kinds of dignitaries there, which is brilliant.”
Anyone interested in playing walking football can contact Vic at vicvaines@icloud.com
