Happy new walking football!

 

It’s January. It’s dark. It’s cold.

 

…And yet, it’s a time of hope, of new beginnings.

 

Goodbye old me, hello new me.

 

Like your style, is that walking football you’re playing?

 

Yes… anyway, you get the idea.

 

It’s the first 2024 session of WF (that’s walking football, as opposed to WTF, which actually might be more appropriate if you saw me playing). And this evening is important.

 

It kicks all of us off on the right foot for 2024. And there are some new players tonight, who are made to feel very welcome – us old hands even go easy on them in their first session, but in an encouraging, rather than patronising, way.

 

These sessions and the associated WhatsApp groups really do bring people together. And for the men and women who take part, they are a vital element of getting through January – and every other month come to think of it.

We hadn’t played over Christmas and new year as the facilities were closed, but there had been so many WhatsApp exchanges in this downtime.

 

One that came through really moved me. It was Christmas Eve, a time of merriment, of closing the door and sitting next to the fire eating biscuits out of a box while watching almost-decent TV.

 

But the message I read from a man who regularly plays in a different session was poignant, and went along the lines of this:

 

“Happy Christmas all. I know it’s a difficult time of year for some people. If you’ve lost someone this year or are feeling down, I hope you can see the good side of Christmas. Try to enjoy it – and take care of yourself. Here’s to 2024!”

 

It’s often said that men are lacking in support systems. WF has become that support system for the men (and women) who play and feel they belong to something good. So many messages followed this heartfelt missive.

 

They say that half the world is lonely and the other half just want to be left alone. Well, there is no room for loneliness in the world of WF.

 

Happy January, all. Walk yourself to happiness this year and make sure no one is feeling left out in the cold.

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