By Ken Gaunt
It’s international week and Alan Kennedy is ready to make a shock England comeback – at Jenner Park, the home of Barry Town United.
The Liverpool great admits he cannot wait until Saturday when the national walking football over 60s side face their Welsh counterparts.
By a strange coincidence, Kennedy, 64 made the last of his two appearances for Bobby Robson’s England 34 years ago when Wales won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mark Hughes,
Now he is heading to south Wales, instead of Wrexham’s Racecourse, where the home nations championship was staged .
The former Anfield favourite said: “It all came about a year ago when Liverpool were doing walking football in the community.
“I got involved by going down, seeing what it was like, never giving it a chance. Since then been going down nearly every Tuesday and Friday. I love it, I really enjoy it.
“But there is a bit of difference between walking football with us and walking football with England. There are rules with England and I have to be careful I do not overstep the mark.
“With Liverpool it is community-led, we just ask people to turn up and if they run, they run. But we try and keep it as close to walking football as we can. That’s what I like, the flexibility.
“We have up to 40 people per session..The main part of it is taking part, that is the good thing. We play outdoors on a 3G pitch.
“Robbie Fowler and Gary McAllister have come along and John Aldridge says he will be visiting us as well.
“When you have 40 people coming down, out of their comfort zone, to have a chat, a cup of tea and game of football, it is great.”
“I am pleased to help other people when it comes to walking football. We have a guy who is 90 and others in their 80s, which is wonderful.”
Organised by the Walking Football Association, four matches are taking place at Barry (2.30pm start), two at Overs 50s and Over 60s.
The basic principle of walking football is that you walk and don’t run. Play a different game if you want to run with impunity.
Can’t believe I’m reading a famous northern club of repute not abiding the principle concept and ethos. Why call it ‘walking football’ if the basic premise is ignored. Mystifying, and another discredit to the game. How can a club advertise a walking game and have people expected to tolerate something falsely advertised and exposed to vets football. Call it social football or relaxed senior soccer. It ain’t what it’s sposed to be guvnor!