Walking football has helped improve Stu’s health!

On World Diabetes Day, find out how Tranmere Rovers in the Community are making an importance difference…

 TRFC season ticket holder Stuart Pierce, who has been a regular at Prenton Park for more than 50 years, has type two diabetes but has made sure he has stayed fit and active by participating in the Club’s walking football sessions.  Stu, aged 66, has been a participant on the walking football programme at the Recreational Centre for more than three years after his diagnosis with diabetes.

Stuart said: “I first started watching Tranmere Rovers in 1966 just before England won the World Cup. I have had a number of health problems including diabetes and as part of the regime to try and help my diabetes primarily, I was looking for some form of exercise.“I saw Tranmere Rovers in the Community’s walking football sessions advertised in 2015 and I have been coming ever since.“Having diabetes means that I have had to restructure my diet and I have to eat a lot healthier. However, I feel a lot better and all my food apart from a couple of things is scratch built. I do have the odd bacon sandwich, but I am well behaved!“It is essential to raise awareness for diabetes. People need to get themselves checked to see if they are ok. It is so important to exercise even if it is only going for a walk or come down to Prenton Park and take part in the sessions at Tranmere Rovers in the Community. Many little things will help you.”

Walking football is a regular fixture at Prenton Park and features four days a week. Stu is proud of the work his Club do in order to help people improve their health and admitted everyone is welcome.

He continued: “The walking football sessions are brilliant, and everyone is welcome. They run three sessions a week and it is a smashing friendly group who take part. The sessions take place on Monday afternoon, Wednesday morning and for the elderly gentlemen, there is one on a Friday as well at 11am. The staff at Tranmere work hard and they must be doing something right as the participation numbers are increasing. Even if you only want to take part for an hour or if you have never played football before, it doesn’t matter, as long as you can walk you will soon learn and have fun. We will help everybody. If you have diabetes or any other health problems, there are lots of other groups at Tranmere Rovers that will help your needs. I recommend it to anyone, come and enjoy yourself.”

If you are interested in attending a walking football session at Tranmere Rovers in the Community at the Recreation Centre, please see below…

Monday: Over 50s (2-3pm)

Tuesday: Females over 40 (11-12pm)

Wednesday: Over 50s (11-12pm)
Friday: Over 65s (11-12pm)

To find out more information about our walking football sessions, please email [email protected].