IN a couple of years Hindlip Walking Football have gone from a handful of lads trying get to grips with the game to a thriving club with 40 players who have had success home and abroad.

After their first foreign adventure in May when third in a tournament in Italy, they were invited by the Arsenal squad to play along with Norwich City in a series of matches at the indoor community hub at The Emirates complex.

The players were given a full guided tour of the stadium and its backroom facilities.

They also enjoyed a Worcester Community Trust tournament on the 3G pitch at King George V Playing Fields, Brickfields, with some of the top teams in the Midlands, including national champions Birmingham.

Eight teams and 72 players took part with Hindlip’s only defeat being in the final 2-1 to Birmingham.

Over the whole tournament, which supported the trust's Bring People Together campaign, Hindlip scored eight goals and conceded only three.

Player Andy Cave picked up his first football medal in his 50s.

Hindlip player-manager Ron Barker said: “I’m so proud of how far the club have developed in a relatively short time.

"We now train twice a week, Saturdays at Hindlip and Wednesday evenings at Perdiswell Sports Centre in Worcester.

"Anyone who is interested in taking up walking football with us can come along and will be made welcome.

"We have men and some women members.

"We also hold regular social events such as our forthcoming curry night later this month.

"We enter a wide range of local and national tournaments plus we are planning a second venture into Europe in 2018.

"All abilities are welcome and you can find out more on the Hindlip Facebook page or have a look at the Worcestershire FA walking football site."

At the trust tournament The Winning Post pub's team from Worcester played the slower version of the game for the first time.

Despite finishing eighth they picked up a player of the tournament award for Jim McKeever who scored their only goal.