At 80 years of age most people have given up on playing for England – but not Workington’s Derek Stephenson!
Derek has been selected to play in an England trial for the Over-80s Walking Football team which is being staged in Sheffield next month.
Now he’s hoping to be part of the group who will represent England in a World Cup for the senior age group.
“I think it’s the first time they’ve had a team for the over 80s but I gather they’ve already got about 17 players to take part in this trial which is for six-a-side.
“I had to laugh, though, when the organiser Danny Ward rang me he said I didn’t sound over 80!
“A few years ago I did have a trial for the Over-70s but it was the third session and I think the squad had already been selected after the first two,” he says.
Derek’s brother Bob was a professional with Notts County, and he expects there will be some ex-pros at the trial next month.
“I just hope that I’m fully fit because I haven’t been playing walking football because of a hernia problem. I’m feeling better and will make sure I’m ok before I go,” he says.
Derek started kicking a ball about as a tot on the Marsh and Quay, then at Lawrence Street School and Newlands School.
He has played for numerous teams over the years including Workington Reds A, Marsh Boys, Town Boys and particularly remembers a very good British Steel team of which he was a member.
There have been several Sunday League sides, too, and recalls his last one-off appearance was a few years ago at the age of 73 when he helped-out a mate’s team in the Workington Sunday League.
“I’ve always loved my football and in later years walking football has been terrific for us older ones,” he says.
