Walking footballers want to level playing field

Clare Moss (right) represented the North East at the regional finals at England's St George's Park [Simon Thurlow] Walking footballers who have waited decades to play the sport have said investment is needed to create a level playing field. Players aged between 39 and 62 from across the North East said while local walking football provision for women was growing, they traveled long distances south to compete in the Super League, due to a lack of facilities to host matches. Some of the women made it through regional trials and have their sights on playing for England.

Midfielder Clare Moss, from Cockermouth in Cumbria, said: "After bringing up the family and supporting them, this is my time to shine and make them proud. " The 51-year-old said since finding out about walking football nine months ago, she had competed in tournaments across the country. "A highlight for me includes playing for Workington St Joseph's Women's Walking Football Club, at England's St George's Park in November, representing the North East at the regional finals," she said.

But players said travelling between two and seven hours to play southern teams in their backyards was expensive and put them at a disadvantage. Lauri Chandler said she wanted to make her two sons proud [Simon Thurlow] Moss studied football as part of a sports degree three decades ago and said there were not many opportunities to play in a women's team. She said the social aspect was "phenomenal" and it was also a good way to stay fit.

Being one of the few walking football clubs in the North East dedicated to women, sometimes players also had to travel to other clubs to make up numbers each month, she added. Moss will be part of the team to compete in the Super League Cup in May. Lauri Chandler, 62, from Whitley Bay in North Tyneside, said after watching her boys play football and supporting them, she could now play and make them proud.