More than one of Farnham Town Football Club’s squads will travel to Jersey to play against the island’s footballers this weekend.
On the same day that Farnham Town FC’s first XI will be playing their Combined Counties match against the Jersey Bulls (Saturday, March 22), the club’s walking footballers, the Farnham Town Flares, are set to illuminate the pitch in a six-team tournament against other teams from the island: First Tower FC, St Peter FC, St John FC, St Pauls FC, and Trinity FC.
The tournament will take place on Saturday morning at the Springfield Stadium in St Helier, before the first XI’s big match.
Aimed at people aged over 50, walking football has grown in popularity in recent years, bringing many health benefits to those who take part.
Farnham Town now has teams competing in the over 50s and 60s age groups, along with regular multi-age fixtures.
The various sides regularly shine against the likes of Chelsea, Fulham, AFC Wimbledon, Portsmouth, Woking and the current league and cup champions, Godalming.
Looking forward to the trip to Jersey, Farnham Town Flares’ chairman, Andy Cundy, said: “With the First XI flying high in the league, a number of us began discussing travelling to Jersey to show our support for the team, and the suggestion was made that maybe we could arrange a game for ourselves while in St Hellier.
“The idea quickly caught fire, rapidly turning into a multi-team tournament.
“We're taking a multi-age squad of various abilities, reflecting the club's ethos of inclusivity and togetherness and while it’s all about having fun, we’re hoping to set the tournament ablaze, win the trophy, and bring it home!”
A new Farnham Town Flares flag, sponsored by the Farnham Lions, with the motto ‘We Never Walk Alone’, will travel with the squad.