Meet Paul: Rediscovering a passion for the beautiful game

This summer, our Act Now, Age Better campaign encourages those aged 50+ to stay active and try something new. Everything from Hillwalking, Pickleball to Walking Football. 

World Cup Fever is gripping the nation. It has been 36 years since the last Scottish win, with John McGinn making history against Haiti last weekend. We're gearing up for the next game against Morocco.

Age Scotland caught up with some of Scotland’s National Walking Football team ahead of the UEFA International Walking Football Festival in Switzerland on 25th June.

Although Walking Football shares similarities with regular association football, the two differ in many ways. The biggest difference is that running is off-limits; only walking is allowed, but you can ‘walk’ as fast as you want if “one foot is in contact with the ground at all times”.

Walking Football is a bespoke, non-contact sport created for the older generation. This is why tackling is only allowed with no contact, all free kicks are indirect, and the ball must never go over head height. Walking Football has become increasingly popular across Scotland.

We caught up with Paul, 64, from Edinburgh. As well as being a member of Scotland’s national team, Paul is also a midfielder for Heart of Midlothian Walking Football Club (even though he holds a Hibs season ticket, along with many others on the team!), which goes to show everyone is welcome at Walking Football, and the more variety, the better.

How did you get into Walking Football?

My good friend Colin Mackay was an original pioneer of Walking Football in Scotland. I didn't need much persuading. It sounded perfect for me.

What position do you play?

I like to play midfield.

How often do you play?

Our men's team trains twice a week. The Tuesday session runs at lunchtimes and takes place at World of Football, at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.  Thursday evening session runs early evening and takes place on our Community Pitch, which is located at the back of the Wheatfield Stand at Tynecastle Park. This session runs from circa March to October.

Heart of Midlothian Walking Football currently has a regular attendance of around 40 players.

What benefits have you experienced since taking part in Walking Football?

It really improves your fitness levels; the camaraderie is fabulous, making new friends and rekindling old friendships. My first football picture was taken when I was 18 months old. I've truly been football mad all my life. Playing walking football brings me the same joy I’ve ever had at any stage in my football career.

How has walking football helped you connect to more people?

When you play Walking Football, it feels like you're part of a family. You have people looking out for both your physical and mental well-being.

“It’s amazing how Walking Football has grown throughout the world. It's like a fitness and good health juggernaut.”

How did you get into International Walking Football?

My dream as a schoolboy was to play for Scotland Schoolboys. At 16, I got close to getting into the under-18s Scotland Schoolboys team and was determined to make the squad the following year. Regretfully, I broke my leg close to these trials.

“It’s fair to say that I am overjoyed to have been selected all these years later to play for my country, and I am overwhelmed and so proud to do so.”

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self 10 years ago, what would it be?

I had a cardiac arrest playing football 10 years ago.  I would never have believed that today I would be having so much fun playing the beautiful game again.

I would say to myself, this cardiac arrest isn't a negative. Surviving this major event is just the beginning of a restart towards some wonderful times ahead with your loved ones, and playing football will still be a huge part of your life.

If someone was on the fence about joining Walking Football, what would you say?

Get off the fence! Don't guess what it's going to be like. Witness it by watching a session or going along to take part. I would volunteer to take them along to either my teams or the many friendly clubs I’m close with. I’ve converted many doubters to Walking Football.

If the person was interested in playing competitively, I would tell them that I get from Walking Football everything I ever got playing throughout my career.

If it’s just playing for fun, I would say that the camaraderie, the laughs and the social side are just wonderful.  I play competitively as well as noncompetitive Walking Football. They are both equally fabulous.

If someone is interested in joining, how can they find out more?

Contact Walking Football Scotland, just go on their site. They've got a web page and a Facebook page, and you’ll find contact details for wherever you live in Scotland, the times and the locations.

As the Scotland Men’s National team looks forward to their next match against Morocco. What are your score predictions?

I think it will be a draw for our second game,  Scotland 1 – 1 Morocco