Blue Boots, Big Smiles & a Summer Social: A Day to Remember at Walking Football

 Today feels like one of those red-letter days in the walking-football calendar. After a couple of weeks off thanks to some dental issues (not the most glamorous injury lay-off, I’ll admit), I’ll finally be pulling on the kit and stepping back onto the pitch. And to make things even more interesting, I’ll be doing it in my brand new, bright blue boots.

Now, you have to understand, walking footballers can be a fairly traditional bunch. Classic black boots are the order of the day, with the occasional white pair sneaking in. So when you show up in a pair of flashy, electric-blue Predators, you’d better be ready for a bit of stick. I’m already braced for the ribbing — and to be honest, I’m looking forward to it. That’s part of the culture of this game: the good-natured banter, the humour, the shared moments that make us more than just a group of people having a kickabout.

But today isn’t just about me braving the banter. It’s shaping up to be a truly special day for our club. On the adjacent pitch, we’ll be running our Walking Football Summer School. The focus will be on the fundamentals — receiving the ball cleanly, turning with confidence, and getting a decent shot away. These are the kind of bread-and-butter skills that make the game so enjoyable, no matter your age or pace.

The sign-ups have been fantastic, and the thing I’m most excited about is the number of new women players who’ll be taking part. Walking football is one of the most inclusive sports around, but to see it in action — women of all ages giving it a go, maybe for the very first time — is something special. There’s always a bit of nervous laughter at the start, but once the ball starts moving, you can see the smiles spreading. Football has that power: to break down barriers, to lift spirits, to bring people together.

And when the whistles stop and the boots come off, the fun doesn’t end. We’ll be heading over to Bob’s place for his legendary summer social garden party. Now, don’t go expecting sausage rolls and paper plates. Bob’s reputation rests on something far stronger: the cocktails from his garden bar. They’re infamous. He lines up jars, bottles, and mixers like a master craftsman, and before you know it, you’ve got something colourful in your hand that’s deceptively easy to drink. Half the fun is trying to guess what’s actually in it — and the other half is listening to the tall tales that flow more freely as the evening rolls on.

For me, days like today capture the very heart of walking football. Yes, it’s about staying active, learning new skills, and testing yourself. But it’s also about the ribbing you get for daring to wear blue boots, the cheers when a newcomer scores their first goal, and the laughter around a garden table long after the kit has been packed away.

So here’s to health restored, to football played at walking pace but lived at full heart, and to another summer day we’ll look back on with a grin. Bring it on.

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"That’s what’s lined up for today — and I can’t wait to share how it all goes. Have you ever braved new boots or joined a football social that turned into a memory for life? Pop your stories in the comments — I’d love to hear them."

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