In February, we got together with Bebington Sports College with a view to promoting walking football. However, due to reasons beyond our control this never materialized.
March saw our last Thursday session as numbers were dwindling and we could also not always be guaranteed a pitch. An alternative trial at Neston Cricket Club proved to be both unrealistic and expensive.
March also saw us do a six-hour walking football marathon in aid of Sport Relief. With some assistance from the lads at Bebington Sports College, we raised over £500 for this great cause.
March, April & May also saw us play in a walking football league at the FA in Northwich with varying degrees of success.
In July, however, we were given the sad news that Soccerloco would be closing it's doors at the end of the month. Despite assurances from Age UK Wirral that they would find us a new venue, this was not to be and we were left basically high & dry. However, a visit to the only other indoor 3g facility on the Wirral proved most productive and thanks to Becky and her staff, we moved our walking football sessions to the Soccer Dome in Seacombe at the end of July. Since then, we have gained 10 new members as well as retaining many of the old guard from Soccerloco, including It's former owner Paul W.
In August, we played in the Cheshire FA Walking Football Festival for the first time under the Soccer Dome banner, where we were knocked out in the semi-final stage.
November saw the start of monthly competitions at the Soccer Dome, and the Dome Army eventually lost out in the final to a very strong team from Warrington Livewire.
On a personal note, I decided it might be prudent for me to take an FA First Aid Course, which I did in February. Thankfully, I haven't needed to use my newly learned knowledge as yet. I also decided to resign my post as treasurer at Cheshire FA Walking Football in the autumn due to health reasons.
So what have we learned in the past twelve months.
Well, for one, there are still people out there who would like to promote walking football for their own personal gain or egos. Thankfully, this is not the case at the Soccer Dome.
Females can play, referee & coach along side males on an equal footing and do not need to be segregated.
It's not just about the football, it's a whole social event, which some local organizers are at pains to understand. This can be judged by the success of our Christmas Party and the social interaction after sessions.
Anyway, enough babbling, onwards & upwards for 2017.
Fancy joining us, just come on down and join in the fun.
