SINCE 2020

ENGLAND

Parkinson's Football club

ENGLAND PARKINSON'S FOOTBALL

Timeline

Liverpool

Up in Liverpool John Roche and James Clark were busy developing a community resource for people with Parkinson’s, which included, amongst other activities, walking football. Northern Lights as the team were known were to prove to be a model for other teams to develop. Yet, like in so many areas COVID 19 appeared to put further development on hold. In fact, it probably did the opposite.

Walking football

It helps to alleviate symptoms in sometimes extraordinary ways. At the very least it gets people with Parkinson’s out and socialising again - anxiety and embarrassment being such debilitating aspects of the disease The three, John, Paul and Stuart, came together to discuss how the game might be developed more formally; how might opportunities be provided to give as many people as possible access to the game.

Watford Dome

The three, John, Paul and Stuart, came together to discuss how the game might be developed more formally; how might opportunities be provided to give as many people as possible access to the game. Sessions were held in a number of places across the country - the Watford Dome saw the first session, followed by Liverpool and others, ultimately culminating in the Cure Parkinson’s Cup held at St. George’s Park in 2020.

A Winning Team

Ten teams playing for the first National Cup at the home of English football. John, the winning captain of Northern Lights, took to the microphone at the close of the day proclaiming, “let’s show the world what we can do”. A bold claim, but one that has quickly taken shape. John and Paul considered whether the establishment of an England National Team might be possible.

Some of the people who are part of our history (and future)