Walsall Football Club

There were 14 teams competing in the tournament, sponsored by CPR Solutions, and 27 matches of walking football were played at the weekend. 

The competition was won by Birmingham and Solihull Walking Football, who defeated Port Vale 2-0 in the final. 

As well as Vale, sides from Aston Villa and Wolves Community Schemes also played in the tournament. 

There were a host of local teams too, three of which included players who regularly attend WFCCP’s walking football sessions. 

Walsall FC Community Programme run walking football on Tuesday mornings at Sneyd Community Association, and Friday evenings at the Banks’s Stadium – both of which are just £2 per session. 

Plans are also in place for a third session to run at Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy on Monday evenings. 

Chris Springthorpe, Assistant Community Officer at Walsall FC Community Programme, said: “The Cohesion Cup was a fantastic afternoon and really became a celebration of walking football. 

“Our players were able to share their love of the game and meet other locals with the same passion. 

“As well as bringing people together, walking football improves mobility and helps older people stay active.” 

Lewis O’Rourke, Managing Director at CPR Solutions, said: “It was fantastic to see so many players come together in one place. 

“I was at the event to see, first hand, how inclusive the Cohesion Cup was for all of the guys over 50. 

“A huge amount of credit should go to Walsall FC Community Programme and, in particular Chris Springthorpe for running such a successful tournament. 

“I’m now keen to meet up with the club and look to sponsor and run further events. I believe we have only scratched the surface and bigger, better things are to come.”