The O’s walking footballers have claimed a number of trophies over the past 18 months

Leyton Orient’s Walking Footballers won the Essex over-50s league title in their first year in the league last month.

After playing 18 matches over a six-month period against teams from across Essex, the O’s secured the title in the last three minutes of their final game.

The team is made up of men from across Waltham Forest and Redbridge and players are aged in their 50s and 60s with the eldest player aged 67.

Orient’s side, who met as part of the Walking Football social sessions led by Leyton Orient Trust, decided to take the sport further by setting up their own club to enter competitions and tournaments.

Team captain, Paul Franklin, said: “This was an absolutely brilliant achievement by the lads.”

Leyton Orient Walking Football Club Chairman, Len Cheston, said: “I am full of praise for every single member of the squad. This group of players put in some fantastic performances over the season.”

This win adds to their growing medal collection, as the team have been hugely successful in tournaments home and abroad.

Previously, they won the Essex League Age/UK Cup in July 2018, finished third in the European Veterans walking football tournament in September 2017, were runners up in the Mallorca over-50s tournament in May and clinched the Mallorca over-60s tournament in the same month.

Leyton Orient Walking Football squad: Bob Adams, Tony Brooks, Len Cheston, Chris Cooper (GK), Stephen Dunn, Keith Everett (GK), Paul Franklin (C), Gary Martin, Keith Miller, Darren Mockler, Mick Mullins, Fid Neophytou, Trevor Ridley, Phil Stevenson, Tony Wahlhaus, Tony Weston (GK), Jake Zelkowicz.