Most outfield footballers’ careers fade before they reach 35 years old.

Only a few exceptions such as Teddy Sheringham, Ryan Giggs and Stanley Matthews have played into their late 30s or early 40s.

But that is now a thing of the past in Hampshire, because walking football has arrived.

The slower version of the beautiful game is giving veteran players, who have since left their playing days behind them, a new lease of life in the sport.

The new adaptation of the sport is aimed at over-50s and has already been commended for its health benefits.

After monitoring the progress of players at Farnborough Walking Football Club, the Hampshire Football Association stated: “We have seen an improvement in the following: cardiovascular fitness, joint mobility, co-ordination and proprioception as well as reducing the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

“Football is the most popular game in the world with around 250 million participants in 200 countries,” the statement added.

“However, most men stop playing in their mid or late 30s, due to a reduction in fitness levels or an increase in injury incidences.”

Some of the best players in the world have played the game at walking pace during their careers – Italy’s elegant Andrea Pirlo, pictured below, and Argentina’s genius Roman Riquelme can vouch for that.

The idea of walking football is to take away the strain on the body. There is little physical contact and fewer sharp turns, meaning the stress on the body is heavily reduced.

“The game is still competitive and play can be extremely tactical favouring those players who take their time and read the pitch around them,” states the Hampshire FA.

Eastleigh FC host walking football sessions every Thursday morning at Hardmoor training pitches. They run from 11am-12.30pm and are for over-50s.

To find out more email Ray Murphy at rmurphy@eastleighfc.com.