Recently, Woodnesborough FC represented the South East of England at the Finals of the National Cup of the Walking Football Association (WFA). In not just one, but two age categories, namely the 50+ & 60+. (There are 4 age categories for Men in total. 50+, 60+, 65+ and 70+).
The Finals were staged at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Shropshire. With both teams going up against big footballing names, such as Norwich, Nottingham Forest Vets, Blackburn & Wigan to name but a few.
Both teams acquitted themselves well and neither were disgraced. The 60+ played on the Saturday & the 50+ on the Sunday. The format each day was that there were two groups of 4 teams, with the top two teams in each group going through to the Semi-Finals. Each team therefore had to play three group games.
The 60+ lost 2-0, 1-0 & 2-0. The 50+ fared slightly better, in that they lost 1-0, drew 0-0 & lost 2-0.
The final outcome was that neither team managed to progress to the knockout stages and both teams eventually finished 7th.
As both teams found, the overall standard of play was extremely high.
The 60+ lost in their first game to the eventual tournament winners, Norwich, who at the finals in 2021, had also not scored a goal nor won a match. So, hope for the future.
The 50+ had everything to play for going into their final group game, as a win would see them through. But after going a goal behind, the need for the win opened up the game and despite pressing heavily they eventually succumbed to a breakaway 2nd goal. The 50+ age category was eventually won by Nottingham Forest Vets after a penalty shoot out.
A great experience for both Woodnesborough teams and all who went. Quite an achievement for two teams from a village in East Kent.