Walking footballers in running for grant

Sleaford Academicals walking football group has applied to be a Community Champion and has gone forward to the voting stage in the Sleaford area.

It is up to the team to encourage supporters to vote for them.

If successful, Co-op branches in the area will be fundraising for their cause throughout this autumn, as well as paying out a share from the Dividend Card scheme.

Voting opened on Monday, June 22, and closes on Sunday, July 5. Only Lincolnshire Co-op dividend card holders can vote, by logging on at www.lincolnshire.coop/ccvote

Stephen Morgon, of Sleaford, first started to play walking football back in February 2017 at Better Gym Sleaford and grew to love the sessions so much, he founded the new Sleaford-based club two years ago as a new way to keep healthy and active.

He has worked to officially affiliate the group to the Walking Football Association, as well as arrange and organise fixtures, events, fundraisers, as well as larger tournaments which happen all over the country.

He said: “We are in the final and need people who are Co-op shareholders to vote for us.

“Our application centred around three areas:

“Providing health, fitness and fun for those over 35, male and female; helping those who suffer from long term or acute illness get back to health via walking football; and helping other local community projects.”

If selected they hope to use the money to enhance their capability in all these areas by sending members on refereeing courses and helping them get more qualifications to provide training and so on.

“We will also use the money to help attract more ladies to play,” said Stephen.

The team has featured numerous former Sleaford Town FC players, such as Tripps Mason, Terry Smith, Graham Cox, Dave Kelby and Kerry Bampton, who has represented the North East Regional Squad at over 50 level.