Walking Football player and familiar face at
these sessions, was also there.
Walking Football is designed to encourage
over-50s to engage in regular physical activity
in a fun, social setting. Originally launched in
the Anfield area in 2017, it’s proven incredibly
successful and grown from six participants to
more than 60 each week.
Red Neighbours has expanded its delivery
into Kirkby as part of LFC’s commitment to
being a good neighbour, with the club set to
open its new training ground in the area in
summer 2020.
Shaq said: “It’s great to see people from the
older generation pulling on their shirts, playing
football and keeping fit. You can see how much
these sessions mean to the guys.”
Club chaplain and Red Neighbours team-
member Bill Bygroves added: “We are
extremely passionate about helping the elderly
community to remain physically active, and
sessions like these are designed to bring people
together to enjoy themselves in a relaxed and
social environment.
“We hope to build a strong team here in
Kirkby and are looking forward to welcoming
new players over the coming weeks.”
Shaq also spoke to 50 All Saints pupils from
years 7-12 with an important message: work
hard in class and you can achieve your dreams.
“It was such a brilliant experience having a
first-team player visit our school,” said JJ, the
school’s head boy. “He told us about his own
story of working his way up to where he is
today.”
Elsewhere Liverpool FC Women players paid
a surprise visit to local families on the final
day of the Red Neighbours October half-term
breakfast clubs at Anfield, with Jade Bailey and
Kirsty Linnett giving out free tickets for the
FAWSL derby with Everton at Anfield.
Other special guests during the week
included Roy Evans, Ian Callaghan and
Margaret Aspinall (chair of the Hillsborough
Family Support Group).
Red Neighbours breakfast clubs are a regular
fixture at Anfield during the school holidays
as part of its commitment to food-poverty
and education and providing memorable
experiences for young people.Shaq with Alan Kennedy and All Saints pupilsKirsty and kids at the Anfield breakfast club