It is aimed at keeping people aged over 50 involved with football if, due to a lack of mobility or for other reasons, they are not able to play the traditional game.

[2] Coverage of a walking football session initially believed to be an April Fools' joke, on Sky Sports News and in a documentary aired on Sky Sports Football in October 2017, led to several other clubs taking up this version of the game.

[7][8] This restriction, together with a ban on slide tackles, is aimed both at avoiding injuries and facilitating the playing of the sport by those who are physically disadvantaged.

[9][8] The manner in which the sport is played promotes cardiovascular fitness whilst reducing stress on the body.

[13] The sport was created in 2011 by John Croot,[14] but came to wider public attention in July 2014, when Barclays Bank aired a television advertisement featuring walking football to promote its services.