Derek's plan to introduce walking football in Teesdale

WALKING football could be on its way to Teesdale thanks to a Middleton-in-Teesdale OAP.

Derek Earp began playing the game while living in Spain following a mild heart attack two years ago.

After moving to the upper dale earlier this year, he discovered there were no local walking football teams, so he has decided to see if there is enough interest in setting one up.

Mr Earp, 65, said: “I had a heart attack just before moving to Spain. The doctors turned round to me and said don’t think this is the end of your life and try to do some sport.”

After moving with wife Maureen to Javea, north of Benidorm, he discovered via the U3A that there was a walking football team just a few miles away in nearby Moraira.

“I joined the walking football team and never looked back,” said the grandfather-of- eight. “It was a new lease of life for me.

“Players ranged in age from 50 to 73 and there was also a ladies team.”

But when he and his wife moved to Middleton-in-Teesdale, there was nothing nearby.

“I looked around and the nearest walking football seems to be in Sunderland and Gateshead – there was nothing here, not even Bishop Auckland or Darlington.”

Mr Earp said as well as having a kick-about, walking football was also an excellent way of socialising.

“We usually work around six-a-side, so I would like a dozen or so – or more.”

Mr Earp said he had been a lifelong football fan, playing to a good amateur standard and getting involved in showbiz sides during his time as a television editor with Yorkshire TV, Granada and Sky.

This included organising a joint Emmerdale/Housemartins side in the 1980s which took part in the Soaps Cup, playing in front of thousands of fans.

Working with Sky offered him the chance to attend the World Cup in France 1998 as well as a couple of European Championships.

He plans to turn out again for Moraira next spring when the team has two cup competitions lined up.

In the meantime, anyone interested in Mr Earp’s idea to organise walking football locally can contact him on 01833 641571, 07763 699144 or by email to derekaearp @hotmail.com