Walking Football at Haddenham

Walking football at Haddenham is becoming quite a success since it began in July 2017.

The sessions - open to anyone and funded by Haddenham Youth Football Club, now has over thirty members including women.

It is a fun way to enjoy football for those who thought they were too old. Competitions and tournaments are usually aimed for the Over 50’s and on Father’s Day the Haddenham Hobblers entered only their second tournament ever at Cutteslowe Park, North Oxford.

There was mixed emotions as the players arrived. After all, the last time they entered a tournament was in June 2017 where six out of six games were lost.

Everyone knew that there has been much improvement since that day, but they could see who they were up against. Much more established teams – Oxford United with it’s 60 members, Aylesbury United and Bicester who have the pickings and fortune of being from larger towns to name but a few. But that did not dampen their enthusiasm!

They won their first game against the Oxford United third team by 2 goals to 0, so they had already done better than the previous year! And although they then lost to Oxford United’s second team the Haddenham Hobblers went on to beat Aylesbury United and Northleigh Grumpies and draw against Oxford United’s first team and Cherwell to put them second in the group – only one point behind Oxford United.

The Haddenham Hobblers were in the Final against Oxford United’s first team. It was a massive achievement to get this far and the Hobblers could only rue the missed chances.

The calibre of Oxford United showed as they scored from the only attempt that the Hobblers defence allowed them. Runners Up. What an achievement!!

If anyone is interested in trying Walking Football, the Hobblers have their sessions on Friday evenings from 6.30 – 7.30pm on the junior school MUGA. I

t’s great fun, great for fitness, and finishes just in time for the Sports and Social Club to open for a well deserved refreshment!