Following discussions with walking football clubs in Wiltshire and with the support, help and encouragement from Wiltshire FA, the prospect of holding a Wiltshire County Walking Football League has now become a reality.

Teams from one end of the county to the other, including Amesbury, Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Highworth, Melksham, Salisbury, Swindon and Trowbridge, have come together to form the county league and will play in over-50s and over-60s divisions. Matches will adopt the small-sided, six-a-side format with each game lasting around 15-20 minutes. Multiple games will be played at each meeting.

League Chairman Terry McCosh commented: “This League has been a long time in the making and will at last allow all teams to play competitive football within our own county and against our fellow Wiltshire clubs. The walking football scene in Wiltshire has been progressing steadily for several years but until now we have had to travel to Gloucestershire and Berkshire in order to play competitive league football. The Wiltshire FA must be congratulated for giving us the freedom to define a structure specific to our form of the game”.

It is intended that league fixtures will be played at Green Lane Playing Fields, Wiltshire FA’s new state-of-the-art headquarters in Devizes. Mark Young, Wiltshire FA’s Football Development Manager, expressed delight at the formation of this new League and looked forward to seeing this fast-growing version of grassroots football being played at their new HQ.

Secretary of the League, Kev Turner, went on to say, “We know from our own experience how having a healthy competition base has helped to encourage more players back into the game. The recreational sessions played at venues throughout the county are a brilliant way for the over-50s to maintain fitness and enjoy a simple game with like-minded individuals. We anticipate that bringing attention to this League will entice many new players to come forward to enjoy these social sessions as well as wanting to play competitively”.

To find out more about the league contact Kev Turner on 07748 366979 or email wcfawfl@gmail.com