Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines celebrates the winners of the first-ever ​​​‘Walking Football Cup’ final at ‘Wembley’!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was proud to sponsor Suffolk FA's first-ever 'Walking Football Cup' tournament, which took place at Goals, Ipswich, on the afternoon of Saturday 14^th May 2016.

Ten teams from across the county - as well as two from Essex - battled it out to see who would be crowned the worthy winners. Beccles-based New Saints A - captained by former Ipswich Town star Trevor Whymark - were the champions, playing an action-packed final against another Beccles side New Saints B, on the aptly-named 'Wembley' pitch.      

The ten five-a-side teams - aged 50+ - were split into two groups of five each, playing a total of four matches of 15 minutes each, on a ‘round-robin’ basis.

The ten teams taking part were as follows:

• ActivLives – Ipswich
• New Saints A - Beccles
• New Saints B – Beccles
• Foxash Flying Foxes – Essex
• Kesgrave Strollers
• Stowmarket All Stars
• Stowmarket FC
• Suffolk Strollers – Ipswich
• Walsham-le-Willows
• Walton Swifts – Essex

The competition was run by Suffolk FA, and organiser Gary Pinyoun said:

“We enjoyed a great afternoon of both camaraderie and competitive football, and thanks to everyone for getting involved in the county’s first ‘Walking Football Cup’."

Rachael Jackson, Public Relations Manager for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: 

"We would like to thank Suffolk FA for all their support. We have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in today's very fast-moving and exciting tournament, which was the first if its kind in Suffolk.

"Well done to all involved and we are looking forward to next year's event!"

Fred. Olsen become a sponsor of Suffolk FA’s Walking Football initiative in February this year. The sport is played primarily by men and women over 50, and is ideal for those looking for a lower impact activity or who would like to try a slower style of game. It is fast growing in popularity in the UK, and is now played at 12 venues across Suffolk – from Felixstowe in the east, to Lowestoft in the north, and Newmarket in the west.

Suffolk FA is a not-for-profit organisation that is committed to ‘developing, growing and supporting’ players, volunteers, clubs and schools across the county in enjoying ‘the beautiful game’.

Fred. Olsen operates four smaller, more intimate cruise ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch. During the 2016/17 cruise season, Fred. Olsen’s fleet will be visiting over 200 destinations around the globe – more than any other cruise line.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com To find out more about Suffolk FA’s Walking Football initiative, go to www.suffolkfa.com, or contact Nick Garnham, Marketing & Public Relations Officer, Suffolk FA, on 01449 776380 or 07508 838181