A Bolton walking football star gets England call-up

David Mort has played football throughout his life to “quite a high standard,” but he never thought he would one day be representing England in the sport he loves.

David plays for both Bolton Arena and Bolton Wanderers over 60s, the latter of which he helped win the European championship title for in Mallorca last year.

After multiple trials - in the latest of which he score four of his side's five goals - he finally got the news he has been hoping for and he will be flying out to Bilbao on May 19 to represent the three lions over 70s team.

He will be stepping on to the pitch at the age of 71.

David Mort

“I can’t tell you how chuffed I am. I thought it was good enough to play in the European championships,” he said.

“I’ve got my flight ticket and my accommodation booked.

“I didn’t know there was such a thing until a few weeks ago.”

The one frustrating thing for David is that the fixtures clash with that of his Wanderers team who are going back to defend their European title.

He said: “I’ve got to go with England, haven’t I?”

David often plays walking football five times a week, and he is now trying to be careful in the run in to her international debut.

“I don’t want to get a knock or an injury before then,” he said.

David with his BWFC team mates and the trophy

Marcus Brown David’s football manager at Bolton Arena and a director on the board of the Walking Football Association. He said: “I welcomed David to our programme at Bolton Arena as I knew that the game he loved so much could be re-introduced into his life by way of playing walking football - the UKs fastest growing sport.

“I knew that as soon as he had adapted his game to the WFA ethos, he would go on to make the regional squad and then the ultimate accolade of representing the England team.

“David is aware that I have already tipped him to go on and captain the team.

“We are super proud of him.”

Walking football is a popular way for people over the age of 50 to stay physically fit whilst also reaping the social benefits of a team activity.

David said: “It’s bigger than people think.

“It’s only known really by people over the age of 55, but it’s really good for health and fitness and mental health wellbeing. It makes a lot of people’s lives different.

“It’s good for making new friends and seeing old ones.”

For more information on Bolton Arena’s walking football programme, email marcusbrown@boltonarena.com.