International walking football stars based in Lancashire speak of their pride at first caps
Two Garstang Walking Football Club players have shared their pride and revealed more about representing their countries.
Eamonn Watson of Ireland and Allan Smith of England have received their first call-ups for their nations in recent months.
Eamonn, who plays as a goalkeeper, represented Ireland in October at the St Nazaire tournament in France and the International Invitational in England, which Ireland won.
Allan went out to Morocco to play in three six-a-side games against teams from the African nation, all of which England won and Allan played in.
Eamonn said: “I got a trial with Ireland last year, it was after I’d recovered from a back operation and I hadn’t played in between, but the trial went well.
“At the same time, while I was in France last year, I collared the England manager and asked him to take a look at some Garstang players.
“Fair play to him, later in the year he gave me a ring and said ‘I need to have a look’ and asked me who I’d recommend.”
Allan’s England career started with five training games in Solihull, which gave the England coaches “a nice headache”.
He relished the opportunity to represent England out in Morocco, who Allan said “treated us like dignities” and “were so accommodating”.
England will take part in the Walking Football World Cup in Spain in October and Allan hopes to be one of the lucky 12 to be called up, as does Mick Gornall – also from Garstang Walking Football – who played out in Morocco.
Mick scored a goal and bagged an assist in one of the games and also spoke to UCLan Live about the experience.
“When I was first called up I was pretty laid back about it, I only realised how big a thing it was when other people reacted to it, I played it down quite a lot.
“People do scoff a bit about walking football and to be honest I did at first but it’s only when you play it that you realise how more physically fit you become – I would recommend it to anyone, the benefits are massive really.
“To represent your country in your 50s, 60s, 70s – it’s a great thing to do.”
The latest Garstang Walking Football player to receive a call up is Dave Rimmer, who was given the nod for the over 60s last month.
Eamonn and Allan joined Garstang Walking Football Club in 2021, one year after it was set up following the first COVID lockdown.
Now, the club – who boasts nearly 100 members with several awards and trophies across different age groups having been won.
Their over 50s team came within just seconds of winning the Walking Football Association Cup last year after leading 2-1 against Nottingham Forest in the final, which did take place in the opposition’s hometown.
Forest found an equaliser and won 3-1 on penalties but Garstang only just missing out on the biggest national prize in walking football shows just how far the club has come in less than five years, and it was after that final when England’s manger offered Allan and Mick their call-ups.
Training sessions take place every Monday evening and Saturday morning at the Garstang Community Academy, with dozens of people – including 83-year-old Bob Green – playing in six-a-side games for an hour.
Allan said: “You’ve got to give it a go, there are some lads who I know who have never played football, come down, played it and loved it.
“I don’t think there’s been many people who’ve come down and said that they’ve not enjoyed it.”
Eamonn added: “Don’t think of it as walking football, think of it as your final chance to play a game you love.
“Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, moved into the are recently or having a tough time, come to Garstang Walking Football and you’ll have a great time.”
Walking Football tournaments this year
- International Walking Football Festival (21-23 March 2025) – Nelson, New Zealand
- Eurocopa Walking Football Tournament (28-29 April 2025) – Algarve, Portugal
- Spanish European Masters Trophy (8-12 May 2025) – Tarragona, Spain
- Crete Walking Football Tournament (16-20 October 2025) – Crete, Greece
- Walking Football World Nations Cup (21-24 October, 28-31 October 2025) – Alicante, Spain
