Local walking football club, Kingston Walking Football Club (WFC) was awarded the 2025 RBK Sports Team of the Year award this month.

The club was presented its award at a ceremony in the Guildhall on 17 November.

Walking Football is the fastest growing sport around the world.

In the UK, it is said that there are already over 1,500 clubs and 90,000 participants, and it is still growing in capacity. It is football but slower. Simple rules: no running or physical contact is allowed. 

It is a win-win situation. Players get to exercise without feeling they are exercising and get to socialise with like-minded individuals who are also in denial about their age.

In 2023, a group of 70-year-olds got together and decided to form a team, which is known as Kingston WFC 70+.   Firstly, a Mission Statement was created to encompass the ethos of:

1.    PHYSICAL WELLBEING: Physical activity, exercise and to maintain and develop their football skills, whilst improving their fitness and health. 

2.    MENTAL WELLBEING: To have regular social interaction to combat loneliness, create friendships and have something to look forward to post-retirement. 

Kingston WFC became affiliated with the Surrey FA and entered its 70+ League with opponents operated by large well-known local London professional clubs such as Chelsea and Fulham, and Semi-pro clubs within the Surrey area.

As minnows and unfunded, and without a 'real' base (to offer hospitality to visiting teams) or with club support or sponsorship, the club has achieved a lot in the last three years.

In 2023, its first year, the club won the Surrey FA League and the League Cup. It also entered the prestigious 2023 WFA National Cup competition which covers the whole of England. In 2023, Kingston WFC was beaten in the Semi-Final.

In 2024, the club's second year, it won the Surrey FA League and the League Cup again and won the 2024 WFA National Cup competition.

In its third year (2025), Kingston WFC won the Surrey FA League and the League Cup again and won the 2025 WFA National Cup competition again.

For 'Away' matches, the players travel very long distances and must cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. 

The players do this because they wish to carry on competing in tournaments and maintain their prestigious standing. 

The players have travelled to Worthing, Bournemouth, Evesham, Cheltenham, Birmingham, Nottingham, Lincoln and Billericay. 

At every event, they have remained unbeaten in their Matches, and everyone wants to know where they are from. 

Their achievements have been spread locally and nationally with great success. 

In national 'Walking Football' circles, Kingston WFC's 70+ and now its 75+ are highly regarded and has many England Internationals in both its Squads. 

Everyone wants to know where they are from, thereby drawing attention to Kingston Upon Thames. 

The club now operates two competitive teams, 70+ and 75+, whereby the additional travel costs are borne by the participants.      

Because of their recognition as a good footballing side and achievements, many of their Kingston players have represented England South East Region, against other England Regions throughout England, and have gone on to become full England Internationals.

Abroad, they have represented England in Internationals in Gibraltar, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Portugal, Spain and as far as Japan.

In 2025, Kingston WFC provided 50% of the England team that became world champions by winning the FIWFA World Nations Cup which took place in Spain this October. 

This included the main European countries, as well as Canada, Japan and Australia.

So, not bad for a little self-financing team, that is promoting Kingston-Upon-Thames's sport profile around the world.   

This has all been achieved without any form of sponsorship, but now, it is getting difficult for the players to maintain this constant financial outlay.

Its prominence as a 'Club' and with its individual 'England International' players recognition, has generated attention across this growing sport. 

Kingston WFC believes its on-going achievements and success will bring it further public exposure to those associated with the club. Therefore, all forms of support are greatly welcome.

You are invited to catch up on the Club news and achievements by visiting its newly created website www.kingstonwfc.com and its recently created Facebook group page 'Kingston WFC'.