Aims of Walking Football
Walking Football's aim is to provide a safe environment in which men over 50 and women over 40 can enjoy a non-contact game of football within the rules of Walking Football. The friendly atmosphere has proved to be hugely beneficial in physical, mental and social health.
The Start (August 2014)
It all started back in August 2014 when Dennis Wright and Ian Wallace decided to expand the activities of the Market Drayton Men's Shed by forming a Walking Football Club. The shed is sited at Greenfields in Market Drayton.
An article was published in the Market Drayton Advertiser seeking interest locally in forming a Walking Football club. Sufficient interest was shown and the first session was played on Tuesday 16th September 2014. The venue was the Maurice Chandler Sports Centre at Stoke Heath. There were 8 men present.
The Early Days (2014 - 2018)
The number of players increased steadily and by 2018 there were 19 players. The club started playing friendly games against other clubs. Early games against Wrexham and Solihull produced defeats of 7-3 and 8-2 respectively. Chris Smith was the captain. The club continued to play at Maurice Chandler Sports Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Major Developments (2018-2021)
The arrival of Len Donnelly in October 2018 as Secretary was crucial in modernising the club and putting it on a sound financial footing. Ant Matthews as Chairman played a pivotal role in the club's development. David Rollinson joined the club in November 2018 and became the club's first referee.
For 3 years (2019 - 2021) the club competed in an invitation cup competition at the Manchester Goal Arena. We competed well and in 2020 won our qualifying group to reach the semi-final; we lost 1-0 to Glossop after suffering 2 injuries.
The club started playing at Greenfields in 2020 and used the Tigers club house as a meeting point. We moved under the MDTFC umbrella where the late Chairman, Mick Murphy, was very supportive. The club organised a triangular competition at Greenfields in the summer of 2020. Market Drayton finished third behind |Stoke City and Port Vale.
The club held its first AGM on 28th May 2019 to formalise the club. Our first Christmas function was at the Market Drayton British Legion.
Our very own hosted Annual Tournament
We have hosted four tournaments from 2021 to 2024, which have drawn competitors from Shropshire and Staffordshire. They have all been very well received and were won by Chesterton Crusaders (2021), Ellesmere Rangers (2022 & 2023) and Market Drayton (2024). Silverware at last!!
Into the League (2022 onwards)
Market Drayton entered a team (over 60s) in the first season of the Staffordshire County Senior League. We enjoyed an excellent season under the captaincy of Dave Whitehouse and finished in second place to Chesterton Crusaders.
In the following season we again performed well finishing in third place (2023). In 2023 our over 50s team entered the very first Shropshire League competition. We were able to field a consistently strong team and after winning our opening 7 games moved clear at the top of the table. We held onto our position and became the first Shropshire League champions losing only one game all season.
The 2023 season provided the over 60s with a memorable highlight. In a dramatic National Cup Semi Final tie, we beat Shrewsbury 99ers 3-1 to reach the National Finals in Redditch. It was a fantastic performance considering we played most of the match one man short following a sending-off.
The 2024 season was a difficult one as we struggled to field a full squad for our league games.
At the 2024 AGM it was decided to field one league team in the Staffordshire County Senior League over 50s division.
Also in 2024 we assisted in the formation of a ladies team, based at the Market Drayton Sports Club, which has since been taken forward by Anne Jones, as a club in its own right.
As at April 2025 the club's membership had risen to 41, a fitting tribute to the founders of the club and the future looks very bright.
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