By Ed Bartram

There comes a time for even the most amateur of football players when they have to think about hanging up their boots, and calling it a day on their park football careers. But head to the football pitches at The Triangle on a Tuesday or Friday evening, and you’ll see that retirement doesn’t need to be in your thirties or forties these days, but a decision which can be delayed well into your eighties, nineties or beyond.

Hurstpierpoint Football Club’s walking football sessions have been growing in popularity over the past year, with enough players for two games each day, primarily aged 50 to 80. What’s more, the group’s first social event was held in November; a quiz night held at Fairfield Rec, which provided more than a couple of laughs for the players, and a chance to showcase their competitive nature away from the pitch. Catering was supplied by the Village Pizza Kitchen, and it is fair to say that the club’s bar was well-utilised that evening too. “It’s great for the club, and the village,” commented Dudley Christensen. “There is football for all ages now; you can play for the Colts from the age of five, through to the men’s team at 16. And now with the walking football sessions there really is no upper limit. We see ourselves as a ‘community club’ before a ‘football club’, and it’s important to acknowledge the social gap that the club fills for so many of us, as well as the physical benefits of playing.”

The door is always open for new people (of all ages) at Hurstpierpoint Football Club, so please contact hello@hurstpierpointfc. co.uk if you would like to get involved.