WHAT TO WEAR

Firstly, apologies for the lateness of this update. Other more trivial things than walking football have needed to be taken care of.

We have had quite a few new members join us this year, and one of the most frequently asked questions after "Where's the loo" is "What attire will I need to play?".

As we play inside on an astro 3g pitch which is not subject to changing weather conditions, initially most trainers will suffice, providing they give a reasonable grip. As for clothing, wear whatever you feel comfortable in, though I would not recommend jeans. Obviously, as you progress, you might want to get more specialized, but the following are some of my experiences in the footwear line.

I didn't really have any suitable trainers. My Adidas Italia had been worn for years for everything from Days Out to D.I.Y. and beyond, and the soles were, to say the least, very smooth. My first purchase, in a local sports store, were a pair of Puma Kratero Astro Turf boots.

These cost about £25 and they are good value for money. They "break-in" reasonably quickly. However, they seem to be quite a wide fitting and become a bit too loose after time.

Next purchase was a pair of Adidas Predators at about £30. These also "break-in" reasonably fast, and they are my current boot of choice. They are a snug fitting boot, and the red pair are still going strong after two years. The blue pair still need "breaking in".

As an alternative, I purchased a pair of Adidas X-ite Turf Trainers at the local Adidas Outlet shop for again £25. These are reasonably comfortable but size wise are a shade too long for my feet. Unfortunately the next size down was too tight. If you excuse the pun, the general rule of thumb on sizing is that your big toe should be half a thumbs width from the front of the shoe.

Best places to purchase initially are your local discount sports stores or at outlet villages. Once you have settled on a pair you can then always buy a spare pair online. As makes and styles provide different fits, it's best to try on as many different shoes as you can. During my initial purchase I tried on Adidas, Puma, Nike, Sondico, Patrick amongst others.

So to sum up:

Always try to buy your first pair in person.

All football boots require "breaking-in".

Sizes and width fittings vary by manufacturer.

Don't be fooled into thinking that the more you pay - the better the boot.

After a while, it is wise to invest in a quality pair of insoles.

Don't not immerse your boots in hot water to soften them up. All you do is soften the glue at the seams.