Wyberton and Donington footballers help England to World Nations Cup success
Two footballers have proven that it’s never too late to fulfil your boyhood dreams – after becoming world champions in their 60s and 70s.
Wyberton’s Steve Slater and John Sykes, who lives in Donington, were part of the England walking football side which lifted the World Nations Cup last Saturday, overcoming rivals France 3-0 in the final.
Mimicking the Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup win, the team enjoyed international success on home soil with the tournament being staged at St George’s Park, the Football Association’s HQ in Burton upon Trent.
“It means a lot. It took a while to sink in,” said Steve, whose trophy is now sitting in ‘pride of place’ on the mantelpiece.
“When you think people have flown in from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Japan, South Korea and Italy, it shows the game of football is worldwide at all ages and abilities.
“It’s our claim to fame now. You do dream of winning the World Cup a boy, but when I started playing walking football it was a community thing and the game's grown a lot over the last five or so years.”
It proved a memorable weekend for 70-year-old John, who finally fulfilled his ambition of playing in the tournament.
“I’ve been with squad since it started in 2017,” he said. “We were promised a World Cup but Covid and other things got in the way. So it was something special.
“It’s probably my last-but-one game with this squad before I move into the over 70s, so to do it with this squad was a great feeling.
“We were at the home of England so you can’t get better.”
A total of 12 nations competed for the over 60s title, with the England side coming through a six-team group and progressing through quarter and semi-finals before going toe-to-toe with the French squad.
Defender Steve (63) and keeper John were the only two players in the England squad – cherrypicked from across the country after proving successful at trials – not to get on the scoresheet in the tournament, but they more than played their part at the back as the team conceded just once in eight contests.
“Winning the trophy was more important than scoring," added Steve.
“But I did get an assist for Graham Collier in the final, so there is that.”
The duo – who both play their club football at Wyberton-based Boston United, with John also turning out for Sleaford Academicals – have both found a number of benefits from playing walking football.
“You can be competitive but there’s also friendship, wellbeing and keeping healthy,” said Steve.
“The thing I noticed was the football banter you hadn’t had for 25-30 years which is great.
“At Boston our oldest member is 82 and we’ve got people there who have suffered strokes and come back into the game.
“There’s also the friendships you form. You go to tournaments all over and make new friends.
“The big clubs are getting involved now. There’s a Nottingham Forest side, Man City as well. It’s growing and long may it continue.”
For John – who has represented England in 20 internationals, including away days at Gibraltar, France, Italy, Spain and Wales, as well as getting the chance to face Italy at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium – it’s an opportunity to continue a passtime he loves.
He said: “The quality and standard in the UK is very high. It’s a sport that’s growing day by day and anybody who used to play football, I’d say just try it.
“It’s walking, but it’s also quite physical. When you play 11-a-aside you get abreather when the ball’s out of play. But in walking football it’s never out of play.
“It’s intense, physically. But it’s good for you.”
While Steve, who also represents England’s over 60s 11-a-side team, is hoping to keep his place to retain the trophy in Egypt in 2025, John is now preparing to pull on the over 70s 11-a-side keeper’s jersey for the first time in Copenhagen next month.
