England ‘Kicking Cancer’
It’s an absolute honour to have been selected for the England Kicking Cancer Walking Football Squad (over 60’s). I cant wait to join my fellow players for a training session in October with the prospect of playing in a series of exhibition and international matches thereafter. I look forward to becoming an ambassador for the Kicking Cancer project.
Below : First England trial at Bishops Cleeve.
England Kicking Cancer has created two teams: an under 60’s and over 60’s team with approximately 10-12 players in each squad. In the near future KC would also like to develop an England womens team. The LTH Kicking Cancer social team will also continue in tandem, much like the CDWF league and social teams.
The Kicking Cancer Walking Football project was the idea of Tony Linforth- Hall (TLH) who sadly passed away in July 2023. In his honour, Tony’s initials are used in the title of the TLH Kicking Cancer Walking Football team. His idea was a simple one; to encourage those individuals living with or in remission from cancer to reap the benefits of playing walking football alongside like-minded individuals. His ambition was to form regional teams and eventually a national team. After many months in the making, his vision for a national team is finally coming to fruition.
My involvement with the TLH Kicking Cancer team started in 2023 through a chance meeting with John Cooper, ex England Walking Football International, and a tireless advocate of the Kicking Cancer project. I played against John in a couple of ‘nomad’ games up at Coleshill, he’s a difficult player to mark! John informed me about his ‘Renal Clear Cell Cancer’ and I spoke about my recent prostatectomy operation. Afterwhich John asked me to play in the Kicking Cancer team and subsequently to take on the role of captain, which was a great honour. In turn, I was delighted to suggest several players from the Coventry Macmillan group to join the squad.
Over the past 18 months, The Kicking Cancer team has played in a variety of exhibition matches and tournaments throughout the UK, with very good results. The stand out matches include games at Saint Georges Park, Arsenal, Millwall and Nottingham Forest football hubs, along with tournaments at Rushall and Northampton Town FC.
Below, Second England trial at Millwall FC , third trial at Solihull
The process to become an official England team is not straightforward. The project has to receive the support of both the Walking Football Association and The Football Association. The football trials have rules too! The FA requires that at least 24-28 players take part, (four teams) officiated by two qualified referees, with two official scouts or spotters to select players or give feedback. The referees are strict, definitely no running, physical contact or verbal abuse!
Three trial have been completed in order to select both squads of players. The first trial at Bishops Cleeve (May 26 th) followed by the second trial at Millwall FC (6 th July) and the final trial at Solihull.
A brief note about the football trials, which were exhausting! Playing six matches of 15 minutes duration with a five minute break in between. Teams included a goalkeeper and five outfield players, substitutes were a luxury! In the majority of cases your teammates were total strangers, so you had to quickly develop a system of play, no room for prima donnas! The pitches at Bishops Cleeve were excellent, outdoors too, so some relief from the heat. Unlike Millwall Community Centre, which was indoors and like playing in a hothouse! Onwards and upwards!
Stop press news! The Kicking Cancer project has received a grant from the National Lottery, marvellous news.
Colin Yates