THE Football Over 70s and 75s World Cups will be held in Cardiff this summer, and the core of the Wales team hail from the Barry and Bridgend areas.
It takes place from 20th August to 23rd August and the tournament features 27 teams from Denmark, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, England and Wales, with the finals being refereed by former Premier League referee, Dermott Gallagher. The tournament will be supporting the charities Dementia Wales and the British Heart Foundation, as well as grassroots Vets football in Wales.
To be clear, this is not ‘Walking Football’. The over-70 teams play to full FIFA rules while the over-75 teams play seven-a-side, using half of the pitch.
Jon Ross, Wales over-70s co-manager and the managing director of the main tournament sponsor, WorkwearSupermarket.com said: “It’s going to be a fantastic event showcasing the best veteran footballers from around the world. Our thanks go to our partners at Cardiff University for the use of their top-class facilities at Llanrumney in Cardiff and their invaluable support in hosting the tournament.”
Wales over-75s are managed by the former Burnley and Cardiff City manager Jimmy Mullen. Jimmy’s joint manager, Tim Bowker said: “What a great experience for the lads to be put through their paces by someone who has managed at the top level. They’re improving their fitness levels and look better with every training session.”
Jimmy Mullen told the Glamorgan Star that he would be assessing his players in the days before the tournament starts. He said: “I don’t have a set coaching formation, or anything like that. It will be a question of playing a system that suits the players.
“It is two games a day with a squad of 18, with seven on the field at any one time, so I will be using the rolling substitutions to keep the players as fresh as possible.”
Veterans football in Wales is becoming increasingly popular, with over 1,500 players competing in leagues at all age levels from over 40s to over 65s. Whilst having a league structure for these groups is one thing, there is another side to the story. Alun Huish, WVFA chairman said: “On top of playing competitive football, getting out and exercising regularly is proved to decrease the risk of heart disease and strokes in these age groups. There are also major benefits to the mental health of many of our players, who can feel isolated without the opportunity to get out with the lads on a Sunday”.
The World Cup will take place at the Cardiff University Sports Fields in Llanrumney (see map below) from 20th August to 23rd August. For more information, visit www.2024worldcup.wales
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