Ahead of the Walking Football Association (WFA) 70+ National Cup Finals at the University of Nottingham, Kingston Walking Football Club (KWFC) 70+ set off for Nottingham on Friday, 5 September, and says its first opposition was the M25/M1 journey.

This enabled the team to have an overnight stay in Nottingham the night before the big event on Saturday.

KWFC had a "Team Meeting" that evening, "in which gluttony was allowed, for food only and with a slightly restricted alcohol intake rule in place," KWFC's Manager, Peter Yiannakou, told Kingston Nub News.

He added:  "I wanted to avoid "Roomgate" happening again! I kept my beady eye on them, so I know they had conformed."

As the current 2024 WFA 70+ National Cup Champions, KWFC was aware that it is another year older than last year.

It was also aware that some of its squad members are in their latter 70s with John Farrington now 81 years young.

"People do not believe me, when I tell them that I must keep telling John to stop running," Yiannakou said.

KWFC's senior players John  Farrington, 81, Brian McCarthy 78, and Ray Wake 75, are still competing at the highest level.

Yiannakou said: "All three are amazing and inspirational to younger players. These senior players had support from Alan Kumrou, Dick Hobbs, Zac Philipps, Larry Byrne, Jim Mellish and Neil Brister."

He added: "The Kingston squad (being the same as 2024, but with one addition) are all awesome players but I realised that the opposition would have 'younger blood' coming through this year. We knew that our retaining our National Cup Champions status was a tough ask this year."

Throughout the match day on Saturday, telecom contact was made to KWFC by the squad's remaining members.  

"Dave Pooley, John Fincham, Keith Harris, Derek Kearey, Kevin Murphy, Ray Watson, and Martin Moore wished us the best and wanted constant updates throughout the day," said Yiannakou.

"It was also great to see best wishes and support from our other Kingston club members on social media.

"Thank you Kingston Supporters and followers, for your tremendous support. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks also to Mike Armitage, for being our Squad photographer on the day."

During the tournament, the top eight teams in the country were placed into two groups of four, with the top two teams going through to the semi-finals.

"We were placed in a very strong group," Yiannakou said.

 Yiannakou says that the match against Worthing was "a tough and apprehensive first group game, where both sides strongly defended and both sides were restricted to attack and score took place".

He added: "Having played Worthing recently in other Tournaments, we both knew each other's strengths and weaknesses, so we knew this would be a low-scoring game."

The match score was 0-0.

Speaking about KWFC's match against Dorset, Yiannakou said: "With tension slowly subsiding, we were able to return to our normal flowing style of play in the second game. Only once did we fear conceding a goal.

"Alan pulled off the save of the decade (or maybe of all time) when he dived and saved a fierce shot with his right hand which forced the ball to spin upwards and sideways to the other corner of the goal.

"Kingston and all spectators were mesmerised in what he did next. He had the strength to throw his body from the ground and spin-dive directly180 degrees from one goal post to the other post.

"He managed to get his hand to clip the ball past the post. An excellent athletic save, he must have springs in his legs. Neil bagged both our goals." 

Kingston won 2-0 in this match.

 Speaking about KWFC's match against Blackburn Rovers, Yiannakou said: "We had to play Blackburn Rovers in our third and final group game.

"We knew they were a very good side and had already won their two games previously. Having had a sneaky look at them during those matches, we knew they were a very strong side.

"Although a win was preferred, we calculated that we must not lose and that a draw at a minimum would guarantee progression to the semi-finals, be it as runners-up of our Group. Tactics were applied to ensure this outcome, and although scoring chances were created, we did not convert them into goals.

"At the end of this game, we were confident that we could reach the Final, however, we knew it would be against Blackburn Rovers again."

The score for this match was 0-0.

In the Semi-final, Kingston played against Moulton.

"At this point we had still maintained our unbeaten record this season to complement our 2024 season, and no goals had been conceded yet," Yiannakou reported.

"In the Semi-Final, as runners-up of our group, we had to play the winners of the other group. Neil scored the winner." 

Kingston won 1-0 in this match.

The final saw the Kingston squad play against Blackburn Rovers again.

Yiannakou reported: "This game was tense and both talented sides demonstrated with their quality footballing ability. It was very competitive, which resulted in Kingston having a player sin-binned for 2-minutes on two occasions.

"Not what you want when in a Final. Kingston had to re-structure to negate being a man down twice.

"However, once we were back to full strength, we made the final push for a win. Larry, with his famous shooting technique, scored and then we held firm to ensure they did not create any scoring chances. It proves that analysis, planning and tactics do work." 

Kingston won this match 1-0.

Speaking about the overall win, Yiannakou said: "Every player in the squad contributed to all the games, which confirms the strength and quality of the Kingston 70+ Squad. This is what gives us the edge against our opposition, whoever they may be.

"As their Manager, I am proud to be part of this group of talented individuals. They should also be proud of themselves for what they have achieved.

"They have not got bored yet with me saying 'Well done Lads', so on that basis, I have lifted the alcohol-intake ceiling, so they can celebrate their achievement with their family and friends.

"However, their next match is 18 September, so I will have to re-instate the ceiling very soon. But I will take the risk again for now and say, 'well done lads'."