Before we introduce International Walking footballer David Brooks (seen above) and the new podcast “Walkie Talkie-The ‘Walking Football’ podcast which the DALETRUST is helping with sponsorship…
Walking Football is a “sport” that most people probably do not realise exists, but exist it does, and in a big way too.
It was created as a bespoke sport by John Croot in Chesterfield in 2011, and now has over 1,500 clubs in the UK and over 60,000 registered players in the UK.
It’s played in over 55 countries, with numbers even higher than in the UK. It may be a unique sport, but it is tremendously popular. Played by both men and women, and with strict rules in the UK set by The Walking Football Association, it continues to grow in popularity.
Rochdale, especially at the Dale, has several teams covering age groups from 50 upwards. It was here that three of the footballers were selected as England internationals. Besides David Brooks, you can read about the other two, Alan Thompson and Terry Williams, HERE.
David Brooks is an England international and represents the over-65s. In addition to England, he has 
played for several Dale teams (you have to, as you age!). David is well placed to comment on all aspects of the game.
Being an active Walking Footballer has given David unique insight into the local and international “Walking Football” scene, a deep understanding of the skills and attributes required, and a broader appreciation of the health benefits. Indeed, the impact on the community and on other sports and organisations continues to grow.
And so to the new podcast “Walkie Talkie-The World Of Walking Football” which the DaleTrust is sponsoring. “The involvement of the DaleTrust will allow us to access high-quality equipment and sound production facilities” said David recently. “The sponsorship has been vital, and we look forward to collaborating on future initiatives that benefit not only the Podcast but the Trust, its members, Dale fans and the public at large.
The podcast is a development building on David’s production of videos and informative posts over the last seven years, where he has posted on his own “TV channel on YouTube” (https://www.youtube.com/@DB-WFTV).
The aim at the time was to make walking football a non-contact sport, thereby making it safer for all involved.
David again, “I wanted to relaunch the channel in a more modern format, and I felt a podcast was the way to go. The aim now is to raise global awareness, improve the game, entertain, and bring more people to the sport at all levels, from disability groups to international players.
This is a totally independent project of mine, which builds on the last few years of my posts on YouTube, I also wanted to bring a more direct, personal, and immediate approach, which the podcast will allow me to do”.
Facilitating the project will be my friend and colleague, Simon Atherfold. We are looking forward to establishing the podcast as a regular monthly feature. We have produced an initial pilot, and the reactions to it have been favourable.
My connection to the Dale (besides being a lifelong supporter!) is as a player and a member of one of the walking football teams. The experience has been invaluable, and my interest in the sport’s place in the community has grown as a result. Through this route, we have been grateful to have a room offered to us as our podcast studio by the Dales’ own Rochdale Community Trust Manager, Ryan Bradley. A big thank you for that.
So with the DaleTrust sponsorship, we can grow. Our work has already started. I attended a match between a “Parkinson Suffers” England walking football team and an England over-seventies team
Who would have thought of that combination, but it was a joy to be there to witness the enjoyment, amusement and some keen play between the teams.
I think this is a clear example of how the sport can unify groups, with the health benefits evident.
This footage will be added to our forthcoming podcast on health and wellbeing and how walking football is helping, due out soon.
Future podcasts will feature guests. We already have international walking footballers, ex-professional players and referees lined up as guests, and, along with the Daletrust former players organisation, we hope to have some of the former players who played at Spotland come along to discuss their careers and share their views on how walking football can progress.
The Trust will provide updates on when the podcasts are scheduled and will publish edited highlights when David releases them.
If you are interested in walking football at the DALE, contact the Trust at info@daletrust.co.uk, and we will put you in touch with David, who can provide more details or email the RAFC Community Trust HERE