Walking football 'is special', says world champion

A smiling man in his early sixties with grey hair. He is wearing a hoodie. A building and a play area are in the background.
Stuart Langworthy first got involved with walking football after a hip operation [Stuart Langworthy]

The manager of England men’s over-60s walking football team says retaining the World Nations Cup is a “dream”.

Stuart Langworthy, from Gloucestershire, led the team to victory during the two-week celebration of inclusive sport in Spain.

England men’s over-50s also successfully defended their title at the tournament.

Mr Langworthy said: “Becoming world champion in your sport is a dream for a lot of people, and to do it twice is just crazy.”

The England over-60s team posing for a photo in two rows.  They are wearing blue and white kit. They are posing with the trophy and an England flag.
The England men’s over-60s walking team defended their title in Spain [Stuart Langworthy]

The 64-year-old said he got involved in walking football more than a decade ago after a hip replacement operation made it impossible to play like he used to.

He runs a session for 40 people with physical impairments at Abbeymead Rovers in Gloucester.

“I get as much pleasure out of that,” he said. “Nobody is judged. They are challenged to do what they can.

“When people tell you that walking football has changed their lives, or even saved their lives, you know you’re doing something really special,” he added.

A crowd of people, England players and supporters, stand by the side of the pitch, waving England flags.
England teams sing the national anthem at the second walking football World Nations Cup [Stuart Longsworthy]

Walking football is played by about 100,000 people in England.

The first World Nations Cup tournament was held at St George’s Park in Staffordshire in 2023.

This year’s competition welcomed men’s over-70s, women’s over-40s, over-50s and over-60s, with England winning five of the six age groups.

There were also friendly matches for others, including a Parkinson’s team.

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