Dereham Dribblers

20/12/2025

The response from our donors this Christmas has been quite remarkable. With festive donations still coming in, we’d like to say a huge thank you to the companies and community groups who have helped to keep our stock levels up during our busiest time of the year.

17/12/2025

On Sunday 7th December at Northgate pitches, we held a mini-mixed tournament with Norwich Women's Walking Football Club to create a four team league. No medals - just fun, followed by tea and cake! It was a great afternoon!

03/12/2025

With a water-logged pitch at Swanton Morley, the normal Tuesday morning session was moved to the Stadium of Lyng. Was good to see Tim get back on the pitch!

29/11/2025

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=39_lHI0i31g&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD&fbclid=IwVERDUAOXnVJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR74K6ItpUA738-M3u_Ya6BgtfMxAg2_0rs0qNfIOMOm9kpoAVrNGPnLNAnEeg_aem_ae-M0kpOZNldW4ZK8URMnw

How to Play or Not Play Walking FootballSpencer, Chis, Peter and Bob have put together a series of images and video on How to Play or Not Play Walking Footba...

22/11/2025

An Action packed session at the Lyng Stadium

20/11/2025

The Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening practice sessions continue. Every now and again, games, photos and reports coincide. Here's a post about last evening's game.

REPORT (by Tim) 19/11/25

Venue: Lyng Stadium

BLUES 5 - 5 REDS

Well, where do I start ? It was cold, wet and in hindsight I should have called the game off and taken the short walk down to The Fox public house but I guess the players wanted to prove they weren't a bunch of wimps and so the game commenced.

Defences were on top in the early stages and there was little indication of the goal glut to follow. At the end of the first period Reds had taken the lead when Jock McWatling ( who had clearly been watching the Scotland v Denmark game ) decided he would try and replicate their third goal and surprised everyone by actually achieving it. Blues deservedly equalised during the second period when Steve W converted a penalty before Reds threatened to cut loose with two quick fire goals from the impressive Thiago. The crowd erupted when quite out of the blue Jeff ' The Hatchet ' proved there was more to his game than trying to mimic ' Chopper Harris ' when he let fly from distance to score Reds fourth, and so ended the second period. The score did not reflect the closeness of the contest but any hope Blues had of a come back seemed to disappear when Jock scored his second goal to ease Reds into a 5 - 1 lead. As the game entered the final quarter surely Reds just had to see the game out but Blues were determined to at least make the score line respectable. Their efforts were rewarded when firstly Jack scored followed by another from Joe who nut megged the keeper. Reds failed to kill the game off and suddenly panic seemed to set in following a neat finish from Steve W. By now Reds had completely lost their discipline and despite Jocks attempts to rally the troops they could not hang on and Nigel gleefully scored Blues a deserved equaliser with a well placed shot to leave the final score 5 - 5.

POTM: Jeff ' The Hatchet '

I spoke to Jeff after the game and asked him where on earth that goal came from. As he peered through his steamed up glasses covered in rain droplets he said " I couldn't see a damn thing, I wasn't even sure whether it was the ball or Steve W I was kicking, but I just let fly and every one started cheering so I just assumed I'd kicked Steve................er.................I mean the ball ! "

A special mention for keepers Andy and Clarkie whom both made several outstanding saves and Scotty Jock for his goal that took Scotland to the world cup finals as well as the talented Thiago who continues to baffle his opponents. Any of these could easily have won POTM but I decided to give it to Jeff as I too couldn't see out of my steamy rain drop glasses. Well played every one 🙂

01/11/2025

Great to hear these three talking so passionately about their brilliant performances at the Walking Football World Cup in Spain recently.

23/10/2025

We currently have three active players with Parkinson's at Dereham Dribblers. The slower pace and non-contact nature of walking football make it particularly appropriate for those members. As one of those two players I have been thrilled to find that I'm still able to participate in the sport that has meant so much to me throughout my life and it has been a fantastic way of making new friends.

We are always looking to welcome men and women of all ages and abilities to our club. Find out more by visiting https://derehamdribblers.com or emailing us at [email protected].

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9y1595224o

Playing football is helping some players with Parkinson's manage their symptoms.

11/09/2025

REPORT 10/09/25

Venue:- Stadium of Lyng

Blues 5 - 4 Reds

Wow, what a game ! I've not been peppered so much in goal since Dereham Dribblers over 65's lost 9-0 in the cup against a very strong Norwich Soca Seniors earlier on in the season.

It would be wrong of me to make light of what was in fact a serious competitive walking football match. A bit on the quick side with some slightly over zealous tackling at times but considering the game was managed by a playing referee it was played with great spirit especially when the ball cleared the fence into the graveyard. If, you missed the pun, don't worry it wasn't very good anyway.

Reds soon got into their stride and looked the better side early on with some quick neat passing and were rewarded with three well taken goals. There was not much to indicate a change of fortunes as the Reds continued to shine but Blues were given a lifeline when from a free kick an accurate shot fizzed past the unsighted keeper to make the score 3-1. Reds then soon restored their advantage and led 4-1 after the second period. From this point onwards it was difficult to see a way back for the Blues but they never gave up and finally found their shooting boots forcing the Reds keeper to make some good saves. Just when the danger seemed to have passed two quick goals brought the Blues right back into the game. Their tails were up and suddenly they were the team finding space up front to threaten an equalizer. It duly came just before the end of the third period and it was all to play for at 4-4 with 15 minutes to go.

Reds conceded again soon into the final period of play and the Blues now full of confidence were set up for an unlikely win. Reds piled on the pressure in the closing stages but the Blues keeper Clarkie kept them at bay with some outstanding saves. Disappointed to be on the losing side for myself but that was one of the best games I have been involved in. Funny old game football, you just never know what's round the corner, never give up ! Everyone put in a shift which made for a terrific game of football 👏👏👏

10/09/2025

Venue - Swanton Morley Stadium 9-9-25

Firstly, lets get the final score out of the way ! To the best of my knowledge ( although others may have another version ) it was:-

YELLOWS 9 - 5 BLUE, RED, BLACK, WHITE & GREEN tops

Scorers:- Jack M 6, Carl W 4, Stevie G 3, Roger B 1

To referee the game, keep notes for a press report and remain sane was a rather difficult task, so in the end I decided not to bother. I thought the best course of action would be to blow the whistle at random intervals hoping that who ever had the ball at the time would stop to take a free kick without reason to question my decision ( fat chance ! ).

I asked myself, what had I just witnessed ? was it a football match, was everyone auditioning for swan lake or were there trials being held for an olympic 200m sprint ? I found it all very confusing 🤔 Anyway, here are some of the bullet points from what ever it was........

1) Despite carrying a back injury, suffering from a double hernia, a twisted ankle, finger and shoulder injuries, plus three broken ribs Andy M decided to take up his normal goalkeeping position and did extremely well to only concede the nine goals. At the other end Mick L whom was making his full goalkeeping debut carelessly conceded five unnecessary goals and was kept behind for extra training after the game.

2) The result of the 200m sprint trial was easily won by Dave P subject to successfully passing a drug test. Carl W was second followed by Stevie G who finished a distant third. I'm sure had Mick L not played in goal Stevie G would not have qualified.

3) Jack M spent most of the session waltzing ( hence the Swan Lake confusion ) through the opponents defence but still has some work to do on his pirouettes.

4) After Carl W passed the ball from one side of the pitch out of play on the other side to........??? I decided I could take no more and blew the final whistle a minute early.

5) Roger B asked for a special mention but I can't remember what for, could only have been something to do with a lucky goal.

6) There was the usual friendly banter throughout and a jolly good time was had by all in what could have been the last of the sunny, warm days.

Obvious Player of the Match:- Steve C, the only player who managed to walk the entire game.

PS special thanks to Mick L for not charging me for the honour of refereeing the game 😁

07/09/2025

A great session at Northgate this Sunny Sunday morning with Danni, Julie, Pam & Teresa playing as guests making for a very competitive mixed men and womens match.

Despite having a player less, blues constructed some great moves and soon had the reds on the back foot. Carl W broke through their back line and scored easily past their keeper Tim S who decided to stay on his line admiring the pretty coloured pitch markers. Things didn't improve when a mix up between defender and keeper allowed Carl W to score a tap in.

The game sprang into life for the reds when Danni struck a left foot shot first time past Andy M from a pin point cross by Jack M. Another flowing move from blues saw Teresa pass across the box for Julie to fire past reds keeper before he could react. As half time approached Lesley inadvertently struck the ball into the clock tower of John S whom was left with a bloody nose. However he was big and brave and refused to make a fuss with several women present.

Full Time: Blues 3 - 1 Reds

Blues continued to dominate, their neat inter passing leading to a fourth goal by Teresa who poked the ball through the legs of Tim S. There was a glimmer of hope for the reds when Jack M fired home from distance to reduce the arrears to 4 - 2. Carl W then went down in the middle of the pitch but instead of the usual yelp got straight up to continue ( again, too many women close by.......😁 ). Blues keeper Andy M was dealing well with any shots from reds and any hope of a fight back disappeared when Steve W finally scored a goal past reds keeper whom had had the upper hand in recent weeks. Carl W then completed his hat trick with a well struck shot to give blues a deserved win.

Full Time: Blues 6 - 2 Reds

Player/s of the match

Danni. ( super first time strike )
Julie. ( ditto )
Carl W ( hat trick and unselfish hold up play )

Thanks to Tim for the report and Mick for the photos!