Leicestershire Walking Football League Celebrates Success

The first season of the Leicestershire Walking Football League came to an end last Saturday as the final fixtures were played.

The first season of the Leicestershire Walking Football League came to an end last Saturday as the final fixtures were played to decide the winners of the Mixed 50+ Division and the Women’s 35+ Division.

The competition was formed at the start of the 2023/24 season to give opportunities for walking football teams around the county to compete against each other in a sanctioned competition for the first time. Leicestershire and Rutland County FA were able to support the league, starting with the Football Development Staff taking on committee roles alongside volunteers to ensure opportunities were provided for players who no longer wished to play traditional 11-a-side football.

The first season of the competition has been a success, with eight mixed teams and five women’s teams taking part, which provided matches for over 165 players across the county in a total of 90 football matches, which are held once a month at Allexton & New Parks FC.

What is Walking football?

Walking football is a small-sided format of the game designed to help people keep fit and be active through their love of football. The matches, which are played at a walking pace with reduced contact, allow players to continue playing the game when they are unable or do not wish to continue with 11-a-side football. Within Leicestershire, there is a league for mixed-gender teams aged 50+ and a female-only division for players aged 35+.

West End FC was delighted with the opportunity to play in the competition and had the following to say:

“As a result [of the league forming] our own sessions have gone from fortnightly to weekly, with more players joining, as a result of having competitive football to aim for.”

First Season Success

In its inaugural season, the Mixed 50+ Division was won by Harborough Town Hornets, who finished the season with 12 wins from 14 to lift the trophy on the last day. The Female 35+ Division was won by Leicester United following a string of good performances across the season.

Leicestershire and Rutland County FA would like to congratulate and thank all the teams, officials, and volunteers who have been part of this new competition in its first season. The teams will now be looking ahead to May, when the League Cup will be contested on Saturday, May 11^th.

Interested in getting involved in walking football? Contact our Football Development Team by email at Development@leicestershirefa.com