Walking football club 'one big happy family'

A walking football player has said his club, which allows people with disabilities and health conditions to be active, is "one big happy family".

Abbeymead Pirates meet on Wednesday mornings at Abbeydale Sports and Community Centre in Gloucestershire. Team members live with conditions such as cancer and Parkinson's, and some are recovering from injury.

Walking football is a slower paced version of the game and allows people aged over 50 and those with mobility issues to be able to continue to play the sport they enjoy.

Mary Barnes' son James Clifton had a stroke aged 36 and she said playing walking football had been "exactly what he needed to get back on that social ladder".

Mr Clifton, now 43, was allowed to join Abbeymead Pirates despite being under the age of 50, due to his condition.

Mrs Barnes said walking football had been "really important" to her son after he joined the team between Covid lockdowns.

"The great thing is they all accept him and they treat him normally," Mrs Barnes said.

"It's also good for my mental health because I know I can leave him here and he's safe."

Derek Jones, secretary of the club, said Mr Clifton's progress had been "magnificent".

"He's been in competitions, his right foot which he couldn't use because of the stroke, he's now using and it's gradually getting better and better," Mr Jones said.

Abbeymead Pirates celebrate their third birthday this week. The joint-oldest player is Brian Edge, 83, who said he still enjoyed playing after having surgery on his knees, a hernia operation and a triple heart bypass.

"All the lads down here, we look after one another. We are one big happy family because everyone cares about everybody," he said.

"We want more people to come, we don't want them just sitting at home, worrying about everything; they can come here and they can start a new life."

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