Cheddar walking football group

Why not come along to walking football at Cheddar tonight, 7pm at Kings and it’s free of charge!

It’s football, it’s fun and we would love to see a few new faces (or even some of our “old” players back?

Tell your mates and bring them along!

Message to potential new walking footballers

I know you think I’m a pain, by keeping reminding you but I do it because I know you’ll love it!!
So, I just felt it was important to remind you of “what we are all about” at walking football.

It’s safe for players with “bad ankles, bad knees, bad hips” etc - we even have players who play that have gout!

We have had players who used to play professional football players who’ve never really played; players who are in their 70s and players in their 40s & 50s.
We even had ladies sessions on Tuesdays with over 20 regulars who’ve never kicked a ball until know!
The thing they all have in common is that they love walking football because it’s
- fun
- safe
- Good for health (physical and mental)

Whilst, I can be as competitive as anyone, more than winning I enjoy fun!
We are a mixed age/ability group (we all think we can still do what we did when we were younger, but we can’t!) but, to us, it is as vital that our oldest player enjoys the session as much as the youngest, our least talented player enjoys it as much as our best player etc!
We recommend that if you’re not sure, come and have a watch and see for yourself!

We are all about introducing new players, of all ability ranges and having fun, or we will end up like other “too serious” local clubs!!

So the “rules”
- enjoy yourself
- respect the referees (no arguing, back chat or moaning!)
- no running
- no deliberate contact
- want to win but “be nice”!

And, anyone who wants to come back to The Barn after the session is welcome, let’s make the most of our Wednesday night

Hopefully you sometime!

Our club been giving some thought to ideas for getting even more people along

One of the benefits of walking football is that you can play it to a good age and, in our opinion, there are many organisations that could combine get together (like reunions) and have a bit of fun, whilst playing walking football and potentially joining our fun club.

We already have a number of fireman, for example, and we could organise a match between the fire service and the local constabulary
Or get two teams of ex footballers - for example we could play old Cheddar against old Winscombe (obviously with a referee!).
Or just games based on where you are from - Draycott v Axbridge for example!

There are no limit to the numbers of organisations that we could put into a “competitive” Walking Football situation, which we would referee and control, to ensure safety AND fun!
Another example is that we could play school matches (for example, Sexeys against Kings Of Wessex)

There are limitless numbers of organisations that could or should get in touch with us if they wanted to stage a match at our session on a Wednesday night at 7pm

A beautiful evening for a kickabout so why not come and join us at Cheddar walking football clubs weekly session tonight - Kings Leisure at 7pm
ITS FREE OF CHARGE!!

CWFC

- Are you 10-80
- Are you male or female
- Have you played football before or have you never played?
- Do you like socialising? Especially in the pub?

If so, the perfect hobby for you is WALKING FOOTBALL!

You don’t have to play, there’s always something for you at Cheddar Walking Football Club!
- Want to play (like Paul Chick, Dawn Clarke or Rob Salway, and many more!!) - you can!
- Want to referee (like Tim Richens or Rob Salway) - you can!
- Want to just watch and join the banter - you can!

There’s something for everybody at the best funded, and best fun, social club in the country!!

We meet every Wednesday from 7pm, so why not come along to see what it’s about!
Or just talk to one of our current players!

What a beautiful day, and a lovely evening for a fun kickabout!!

Cheddar walking football’s weekly session is at Kings leisure Centre at 7pm tonight, so get your trainers on and come and join us for another fun evening!!

Oh ……….. and it’s free of charge tonight!!

Try before you buy!!

Paul Brice
Sarah Chick (tell Ben)
Tim Youngberg
Mark Foster
Mark Sadler
Golly Harris
Neville Hiscox

We are now truly a “proper” club!!!

Walking football tomorrow night at Kings (7pm), give it a look, or a go!!! Drizzle doesnt stop us hardy chaps!!

Paul Brice
Sarah Chick (remind Ben please)

Tim Youngberg

Supposed to be dry for tonight’s session everyone!
Come on down and give it
- a go
- a watch

It’s real fun and banter and a great kickabout - so good for mental health AND physical health too!

Just come and have a look

Adrian Ellis
Barry Sampson
Paul Brice
Ian Billy Wait
Barrie Bunn
Terry Clark
Merv Colenutt
Dawn Clarke
Huw Davies
Ben Dancey
Dale Worthington
Mark Foster
Nigel Ferris
Steve Grant
Guy Bradford
Golly Harris
Mark Grant
Garry Waymouth
Keith Heffernan
Marcus Holmes
Phil Hucker
Ian Moulton
John Teflon Kemp
Nigel Jones
John Portt
Joe Malik
Paul Lintern
Phil Larder
Luke Morrell
Matty Roynon
Mark White
Miles Stuckey
Kieran McManus
Mat Sweeting
Chris Mills
Billy Manning
Mark Sadler
Neville Hiscox
Paul Randall
Paul Walmsley
Paul Thatcher
Peter Brooks
Paul Crandon
Robert Sheldon
John Robert Smith
Simon Besley
Steve Bayliss
Shaun Schroeder
James Trower
Tony Rymell

How to be a better walking football goalkeeper

I have already done a generic session for players to follow, but this session aims to address one or two key points specific to certain positions.

This approach will start with the most crucial position, arguably!

GOALKEEPERS.
The ideal goalkeeper (for both mainstream AND walking football) is one who is a great shot stopper, also commands their area and is able to block the angle of a shot.
Finally they should be a great distributor of the ball, so not only the last line of defence but also the first line of attack!

The main difference with goalkeepers to the “conventional game” is that, in Walking Football, they do not have to catch crosses – as the ball is not allowed above head height!

My ideal goalkeeper, from football history, for this version of the game would be Peter Schmeichel, however in today's game I would suggest that Alisson Becker (at Liverpool FC) would be an even better choice!

The reason that these two keepers in particular would be so good in “our game”, is that they are aware of their area, the goal position, and are great “shot stoppers”, plus, as with any great goalkeeper, they both have a huge amount of bravery.

Shot stopping means using all parts of your body, not just your hands, to protect your goal
If the ball goes out of play, at least you get another chance to stop a goal; so, remember a keeper’s FIRST (and main) priority is to stop the ball going in the goal. Anything else is a bonus!

STOPPING GOALS
So, always know where your goal is and where you are in relation to this.
To help with this, mark out “reference” points (without the referee seeing!) in your area so that you are alway on a “virtual line” between the ball and the centre of the goal, then get your hands/feet/body on “that line” and force the striker to shoot wide of you!
And, remember, the closer you are to the ball (whilst staying inside your area) then the less of a target the attacker has to score past you!

DISTRIBUTION
With Allison particularly, a big strength of his game is his distribution; and in Walking Football quick distribution and decision making is vital, otherwise opponents get set and intercept the ball!
My biggest criticism of walking football keepers is that they take too long to distribute the ball and their targets get marked before the ball is released!!
Never forget, only a team with the ball can score and only a team with the ball cannot let goals in (except own goals - for the clever b***ers!)

Too many keepers try to be too clever and distribute “sneakily” but losing the ball is the cardinal sin!
It’s better to keep it simple and pass/throw accurately, even if it means giving it to the closest player!

Outfield players can also help their keepers by making the effort to get into a position to receive a ball whilst they are
• Unmarked
• Unblocked
This means a bit more effort, but is worth it for the benefit of the team!

So, in summary
As you will see there are many techniques and requirements in Walking Football, that are also needed in the “conventional game”, and this is particularly relevant in goal!

Therefore the need to practice goalkeeping is just as vital in Walking Football as it is in “conventional football”.
Just putting someone in goal for the sake of it, doesn’t really help a team, as the keeper is not just an additional player, he is a crucial member of any team!

Take on these goalkeeping tips and you will find that you are a better walking footballer, but you will also enjoy the game far more.
And, as with any outfield player;
- your team is more likely to succeed
- you get better enjoyment
- you feel that you are still playing the GREAT GAME OF FOOTBALL

Extra notes - for newer keepers!
Goalkeeping - some cheats/tips - for a “new” goalkeeper - these tips also apply to “mainstream” 11 a side keepers!

REMEMBER - YOUR FIRST AND MAIN PRIORITY IS TO STOP THE BALL GOING OVER YOUR LINE FOR A GOAL, ANYTHING ELSE IS A BONUS!!

Tips
• Wherever the ball is ON the pitch get onto an IMAGINARY line from the centre of the goal to the ball and stay on that “line”
• Mark out “reference” points around your area, so that you always know your bearings
• ANY time the ball is in your area JUST PICK IT UP (once it’s safely in your hands you’ve done your main job and the opponents cannot score!), worry about what to do next after this!! The exception is if you see an early passing opportunity, but still make the save first!!
• The further up the pitch the ball is, then the further up the area that you should be - NEVER STAND ON YOUR LINE ESPECIALLY IF YOUR TEAM HAS THE BALL
• If a forward is coming towards you “one on one (1:1”)” never step backwards - just work out your “imaginary line” and move UP it towards them (if they put it to your side and into the net don’t worry!!), always stay between them and the centre of the goal
• Shout instructions to your teammates during the game, it’s their job to protect you and stop the opponents getting near your goal - you’re not being “horrible” just trying to help the team!!

Practice
• Find someone to walk through through and shoot at the goal and you practice “getting into line and in the way”
• Practice catching a ball and “securing it” in and around the stomach
• Practice walking and general fitness work - keepers have to be fit to move around during a game.

DO ALL OF THE ABOVE AND YOU’LL BE A VERY GOOD GOALKEEPER

CHEDDAR WALKING FOOTBALL MATCH REPORT – 29th DECEMBER 2020

REDS 2
Tim Richens, Toby Attwood, Tim Youngberg, Scott, Jerry King (1), Chris Underhill, Russell Young (1), Kev Attwood

YELLOWS 1
Dave Pople, Paul Rodgers, Brian Getley, Sophie, Steve Henderson, Ben Attwood (1), Julie Fisher, Shaun Palfrey, Andy Burgess, Ben Chick

The Oranges were conspicuous (probably as a result of being easily beaten last week!) by their absence last night at Kings.
But fortunately, an excellent Red team turned up to step in & replace them, and won the match, even though they were outnumbered, as the wily old captain of the Yellow team, Jock, outmanoeuvred his opposite captain, Sprout during the selection process!
Although, it must be said that the younger Young got his revenge later in the game as he smashed the winner past Rodgers, in the goal for the Yellows!
With a number of very young youngsters on display the game was very energetic, which made the post-Christmas fitness levels of the elderly players, hard to keep high!

Russell Young started the game looking slightly concerned, less about the lack of numbers on his team, but more in relation to being wary about the arrival of the club's hatchet man - Colin “Wobble” Batt – “Wobble”, also known by some as the “Dartford Destroyer” had inflicted serious injury on Young last week and the Cheddar lad was very concerned about the state of his leg if Batt arrived, turning up in his jeans just in case!!

The game itself was a well contested, hard fought match between two teams of equal commitment and very close in terms of abilities.
With neither of the regular goalkeepers, Bob Bunn or Chris King, available the two players who took the number one jersey’s initially were Tim Richens and Dave Pople (seeing Dave back was a big Christmas bonus for all of the regular members of the group, as was the return of the big bald legend a.k.a. Andy Burgess!)

The game took its normal course as both teams looked effective defensively, whilst still being a threat on the counter attack and everywhere you looked there seemed to be an Atwood playing!
As well as lots of Attwoods, Hendo had brought his children and despite both Scott and Sophie being very young, the average age of the Henderson clan was around 60!!!
Eventually the game settled to some form of pattern with players or both sides doing a great job and working hard, to get off some of that Christmas excess!

Eventually the goalkeepers changed and, this is where the game changed, as Paul Rodgers went in goal for the Yellows and almost immediately conceded two goals, scored by Russell Young (gaining revenge for the earlier cheating of Rodgers when selecting teams!) and also Jerry King popped up with a goal!
It must be said though that Rodgers also made a couple of crucial saves, all the more impressive when you consider he hurt his little “pinkie” when a powerful shot caught him on the end of his fingers!

The most impressive statistic of the evening was that Russell Young also went in goal for the Red team and added a clean sheet to his goal at the other end , thus equalling the record set by Tim Richens of scoring and keeping a clean sheet in the same game, quite some achievement to match the Cheddar legend!
As you can tell the report is being written by Tim Richens!!

The second half saw a similar pattern but a crucial point in the game saw young Scott go in goal, but the lively youngster was beaten by a shot from some distance by one of the Attwood’s on show, in this case Ben!
An assist was claimed on this by Paul Rodgers, who insisted that he had started the move which created the goal and therefore he should get an assist!!
Despite much huffing and puffing by the energetic Yellow's team, the Red defence held strong for the rest of the game and when they were occasionally breached the Yellows came up against a very good goalkeeper performance by the newest goalkeeper on show, Timmy Youngberg, who was determined not to get beaten on the night.

So the game finished at 2-1, with everyone having had an enjoyable evening, with no rain, although it was very cold! And more importantly it seems that much of that Christmas excess food had been burnt up through the energy provided by many of the players .

One bonus for the group was to see its first ever female player, as Julie Rogers come upon to play whilst waiting to do hockey practice and impressed everybody in attendance with her ability and commitment.
The mention of Rogers is very important as the group now has its own ladies’ section, which will start again post COVID-19, and they have also gained a sponsor in DJB Taxis of Cheddar, and the ladies’ group would like to make a huge thank you to Dave Binning for his kind sponsorship for the next three years, this support is so welcomed by local clubs like ours!!
So, expect to see press photos of the ladies in their new kit in the press soon, and hopefully to be playing matches in the not-too-distant future, all thanks to Dave & his company, DJB Taxis!
We must not forget the men’s team sponsors in the tricky times either, so it is vital to stay ready for the re-opening of the Cider Barn in the not-too-distant future and many of the group cannot wait!