02/08/2026
Here’s something a little more personal from the admin behind this page.
Five years ago yesterday, the comeback began.
My first tournament back was an open-age Walking Football tournament in Grimsby. We finished top of the table, clear by one point and with a superior goal difference. However, because we were the only team representing Scunthorpe, the decision was made to declare the tournament a draw instead.
Looking back now, I’m incredibly proud of what has happened over the last five years. I don’t want to take all the credit, because plenty of people have played their part, but I do know that if I hadn’t kept pushing Walking Football in Scunthorpe, it wouldn’t have the regular weekly presence and publicity it enjoys today.
The original Scunthorpe sessions started through a local mental health group, and I’m proud to have helped build something that gave people a reason to get active, socialise and enjoy football again.
Since then, it has grown under the Appleby Frodingham name and continues to go from strength to strength. What started as one group has now developed into a thriving Walking Football community, including an Over 50s team that has already finished second in the league, reached the semi-finals of one tournament and the final of another, only to lose on penalties. Seeing that success has been incredible, not because of any one person, but because of everyone who has bought into what we’ve been building.
Seeing it flourish has allowed me to take a step back, knowing it’s in safe hands. I’ll always be there to offer help and guidance when needed, but the most rewarding part is seeing something that started with a vision continue to benefit so many people.
Taking that step back has also allowed me to get back to playing 11-a-side football while still being able to turn up each week and enjoy Walking Football. It gives me the best of both worlds—continuing to play the game I love while keeping fit and looking after my mental wellbeing through the Walking Football community that has become such an important part of my life.
Here’s to the last five years, and to many more still to come.
