Former FA People’s Cup finalist Ian Clarke says he would recommend any team to enter the competition, as the deadline for registration approaches.
Clarke was part of the Croydon Casuals side who missed out on the inaugural People’s Cup Walking Football title after losing on penalties last May.
And with more players and teams signing up to compete in the 2016 competition ahead of Friday’s deadline, Clarke recalls how much his team enjoyed their involvement last time out.
The FA People's Cup
First Round: 22-24 January 2016
Categories: Adult Male, Adult Female, U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U14 Boys, U14 Girls, Male Veterans, Female Veterans, Walking Football (Over 50s & mixed), Disability
Click here to find a local heat and register
"The highlight for us was going to Manchester for the Finals, although it was good to win locally," he revealed.
"We came up against teams that had won in their area and we went up on the Sunday before the game, had a few beers and got to know some of the other teams.
"That was the highlight of the People’s Cup, seeing teams and playing them and a lot of the teams that we’ve played we now bump into at different tournaments.
"So you play each other and you’re friendly afterwards, so it’s great to be involved."
The trip to the Finals also gave Clarke and his squad mates a chance to watch some of the other categories, which left them thoroughly impressed.
"It was a fantastic competition and we were really in awe of the guys that won the Disability section, they were fantastic and the kids that were there," added Clarke, who set up the Croydon Casuals side after discovering Walking Football almost three years ago.
"There was a real buzz around the venues in Manchester, it was really well organised.
It's free to enter and play, so why not sign up to the #PeoplesCup? We have 10 categories: https://t.co/jkFt0n1L8s https://t.co/ttfzhhAlNa
— The FA (@FA) January 7, 2016
"I’m 60 now and to still be playing competitive football at that age is great and I’m grateful for the opportunity and a lot of the guys feel the same way."
There are ten different categories in which you can play and small-sided venues across England are hosting fixtures so there is something for everyone, regardless of whether you are part of a team or not.
Those different categories are as follows: Adult Male, Adult Female, U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U14 Boys, U14 Girls, Male Veterans, Female Veterans, Walking Football (Over 50s & mixed) and Disability.
The first round will be taking place between 22–24 January and ahead of that weekend, there will be a series of squad-building events around the country, enabling individuals without existing teams to sign up, meet potential team-mates ahead of the games and talk tactics. These events will happen the weekend before in order to give individuals the time to meet new team-mates.
For full details on The FA People’s Cup and to enter, click here.
