33 players pack two pitches as Walking Football Spain Benalmadena opens ninth season

Walking Football Spain Benalmadena kicked off its ninth season on Thursday, September 3, at Polideportivo Ramon Rico, just behind Benalmadena’s bull ring. Thirty-three players aged 51 to 80 split across two pitches for a pair of morning games in the end of the summer heat. Organisers say numbers are already high for just two sessions and, so popular has the club become, they are not chasing a big membership drive at the moment.

Play for fun, not points

WFS Benalmadena stays a turn-up-and-play club. It turned down a formal league in its first year and has stuck with that choice. Last season, more than 100 people turned out at least once. A core of about 30 play regularly; others fill gaps when they can. Ages run from 50 to 83, with an average of 68. Skill and fitness levels vary and are not that important anyway, so both games are mixed to keep it even.

Monday and Thursday mornings remain some slots. Membership is open to any resident over 50. Visitors who live locally for part of the year can usually join in too. Kit is straightforward: shirt, shorts, socks, trainers and shin pads, plus a bottle of water.

Beers after the whistle

Players enjoy the hour of exercise, then linger for a couple of beers. That social side matters as much as the football. Games stay non-contact, walking-pace only, with limited touches so older joints stay happy. Changing rooms and showers sit next to a bar and restaurant on site.

Anyone interested should look at walkingfootballspain.com before turning up. Earlier EWN coverage of the same club includes its eighth-anniversary season and a feature on its older players. For the sport’s UK origins see the Walking Football Association.

Ninth season already looks busy. Two pitches, 33 lads of mixed ability, and no plans to get much bigger. Just football, a laugh, and a drink afterwards.