Biggleswade recreational football group is looking for new players
A Biggleswade football group is looking for new players this summer.
FFF Recreational Football – which started life as a 'jumpers for goalposts' group of friends – is inviting adults to come along to Stratton Upper School on Thursdays to socialise, have a laugh and have fun.
The women's team plays from 8pm to 9pm, and the men's team from 9pm to 10pm. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Wayne Mitchell, who runs the Biggleswade FFF with his wife, Holly, said: "There's no league, there's no scores, it's really about the fun and social side of it and being part of something every week.
"The principal is there's no teams; the ref hands out bibs and we have completely different teams each Thursday.
"Football can sometimes become tribal, competitive, but this is social and friendly.
"The highlights have been some of the personal stories from the players: 'I lost four stone'; 'I've given up smoking'; 'I used to have a sedentary lifestyle but now I'm fitter than ever before.'"
Wayne started the group back in 2017 when his children were younger and he was looking for a way to socialise with other dads.
The name started as a WhatsApp group 'Football For Fathers' and then developed into a business.
He added: "It just started off as a voluntary thing and turned into a business in February 2020 – but then of course Covid hit."
Luckily, the pandemic didn't put a stop to things and FFF grew and grew, with teams now based across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Middlesex.
The weekly meet-ups take place all year round, while a special tournament is held annually involving teams across the counties. The next one will take place in May 2027.
Wayne said: "Our oldest player is 66. You can be any age, whatever your impediment might be – 'I'm unfit', 'I haven't played for years', just come along. We are very friendly, and you can play at your own pace.
"We never set up to be a health and wellness business, but better mental health is one hundred per cent a side effect."
Click here to find out more about FFF Recreational Football and groups in the Beds, Bucks and Herts area.