English Veterans Football Club

AIMS

English Veterans FC

1. To provide players over the age of 50, the opportunity to play competitive 11 a-side football against (international) opposition of a similar age.

  • Teams are managed at six different age groups – Over 50’s, 55’s, 60’s, 65’s, 70’s and 75’s
  • Most age groups play about 10 games per season. The 75’s play fewer games
  • Players are selected on merit. Some are ex-professionals, most are ex-semi-professionals although this isn’t a prerequisite
  • Squads generally consist of 18-30 players but they are forever evolving. Match day squads are usually 12-18 players
  • Over 300 different players have played since 2009. Another 300 or so have participated in trials
  • Inclusivity is important and the current crop of players come from about 15 different English counties – from Cumbria in the north west to Kent in the south east & from Northumberland in the NE to Cornwall in the SW.

2. To provide football players over the age of 50, the opportunity to represent their country

Trials are held and the best players are offered the chance to play

Games and tournaments are played at home and abroad against representative teams from

  • countries and dependencies of the United Kingdom (e.g. Wales, Guernsey)
  • countries from abroad (e.g. Denmark, Panama, Thailand, Iran)
  • the UK Armed Forces (e.g. RAF, Army)
  • English Counties and Veteran Football Leagues
  • clubs in the UK – often in support of charitable causes
  • clubs from abroad.

 

Players are awarded representative Caps for

  • 5 international appearances for the Over 50’s, 55’s, 60’s and/or the Over 65’s
  • 3 international appearances for the Over 70’s and/or the Over 75’s
  • 25, 50, 75 and 100 international appearances across one or more age groups.

3. To encourage English Counties and Veteran Football Leagues to provide playing opportunities for over 50’s

  • Ties have been established and games played against teams representing the following counties: Buckinghamshire, East Midlands, East Sussex, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Huntingdonshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Sheffield & Hallamshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire
  • Ties have been established and games played against teams representing the following Veteran Football Leagues: Birmingham County, Essex, Farnham and District, Southend Borough Combination and West London
  • Super Veterans Leagues (Over 45, Over 50, Over 55 and Over 60) are now much more prevalent around the country, under the County FA structure
  • Oxfordshire now manage an Over 60’s National Cup and Leisure United (Sheffield) manage Over 65’s and Over 70’s national 7 a-side tournaments.

4. To encourage a fit and healthy life style and to improve mental well being

  • In order to be selected and to compete at the level required, players maintain a high level of fitness which promotes physical exercise and a healthy diet – hopefully putting less strain on the National Health Service
  • Players also benefit from the social interaction, camaraderie and a readymade support network. Long lasting friendships are built.