Walking footballers step out at Anfield
LFC's Red Neighbours walking football team enjoyed an unforgettable day as they stepped out on the Anfield pitch alongside Reds legend Alan Kennedy earlier this week.
Forty-four local residents - all regular participants in the walking football programme - played a series of matches during a special afternoon at the home of Liverpool FC.
Walking football is designed to encourage over 50s to engage in physical activity in a fun and social setting. The initiative has gone from strength to strength, with the initial monthly meetings now running twice-weekly at Anfield Sports and Community Centre (ASCC).
Former LFC left-back Kennedy, a familiar face at the ASCC sessions, headed back out onto the Anfield pitch with his walking football teammates for the end-of-season tournament.
Bill Bygroves, LFC club chaplain and Red Neighbours team member, said: “The walking football sessions are as much about getting local people socialising as are they are about keeping active.
“It’s a chance for the retired members of our community to continue enjoying the sport they love while also making new friends. Our oldest participant is 90 and we have a few in their 80s, too - it’s fantastic to see people of that generation getting back into football.
“Today has been brilliant - to kick a football on the pitch at Anfield is the realisation of a childhood dream for many of our players.”
Walking football, alongside walking netball, is part-funded by the FA through the Community Shield Fund and sessions run on Tuesdays and Fridays at ASCC - for more information follow @Red_Neighbours on Twitter.
The Red Neighbours programme supports local residents and schools in the Anfield community, focusing on four key areas: food poverty and education; support for the elderly community; encouraging a physically active community; and creating memorable experiences for young people.
