Doncaster Dynamo's: More than just Walking Football

Doncaster Dynamos Walking Football Club are based at Goals and are an Over 50s Walking Football Club. They are a great example of listening to the community and working together to create something wonderful. Through dedication and passion and the support and guidance of various funding streams, Doncaster Council, Ward Members, Well Doncaster & Get Doncaster Moving, Doncaster Dynamos have built a club that continues to go from strength to strength and is having a real positive impact on its members health and wellbeing, both on and off the pitch.

Doncaster Dynamos began in 2018 when a few ex local footballers got together to form a Walking Football group at Bullcroft Memorial Hall. Gradually numbers increased but then COVID-19 hit and it had a huge impact on the group. When restrictions lifted they were left with just two players! Instead of giving up, they decided this was the right time to start a new club.

The guiding principles were to create a friendly and transparent club, open to all abilities, to enjoy walking football and make friends. At their first session in 2020 they had eight members who played four a side. This encouraged them to aim for a bigger club, open to all over fifties. Eventually they had up to fourteen attending regularly, which just about met the costs to hire venues.  By 2021 numbers had increased and they were getting approached from other clubs in the area to play friendlies.

"I come to walking football for enjoyment, to keep fit and to socialise. It is important to me as it improves my overall enjoyment of life. The club has greatly improved my health and wellbeing and makes me feel more relaxed and happier in my day-to-day life." Doncaster Dynamos Player

In order to move forward and grow the Club they decided to apply for some local grants to buy equipment and kit, this support was crucial and enabled them to play in friendlies and tournaments, which by 2023 covered a substantial part of Yorkshire. The Dynamos decided to enter the Over 50's team in the Wakefield over 50's Premier league and compete against teams from all over the north of England. The Dynamos name has an historical link, as they play on the site of the previous Crompton Parkinson factory making electrical goods.  A local firm, Pragmatism, was secured as a sponsor and one of their own members sponsored a set of training tops for the team.

With the help of Fit Doncaster, they took another important decision, to start a slower session on a Wednesday afternoon. This focussed on people with mobility issues, Dementia, Parkinson's or guys who just wanted to start at a slower pace or who were returning after injury. Thanks to the help of regular members this has proved to be a popular and successful session.

“I come to walking football for fitness, the social side and to get out of the house. It’s essential to my whole life. I am a volunteer organiser and this is a major purpose of my life. It has improved my health and wellbeing massively. My arthritis knee gave me pain for 2 years and was susceptible to twisting. After 1 year of doing Walking Football I have no pain or discomfort. By losing weight my Diabetes has been under control for 2 years now and I’m in diabetic remission. My wife is housebound so this gives me the chance to get out and socialise at least 4 times a week. I am a huge believer in why everyone should do this. Prevention is better than the cure!” Doncaster Dynamos Player

Find our more and see how you could join their sessions on their Facebook page.