Former Gravesend & Northfleet and Erith & Belvedere player Gary Groom on helping England over-50s win the World Nations Cup and earning The Walking Football Association National crown with Bexley

A former semi-professional footballer has described how quick-fire national and international double delight has given his career a new lease of life.

Ex-Gravesend & Northfleet and Erith & Belvedere man Gary Groom helped England over-50s win the World Nations Cup and claimed The Walking Football Association (WFA) National Finals crown with his club, Bexley, last year.

After giving up veterans football, he thought his playing days were numbered.

He said: “I was with Tottenham and Arsenal as a youth, and then captained Charlton’s youth team. I was Rob Lee’s captain!

“But when push came to shove, I didn’t get signed by a professional club and I drifted into the semi-professional stuff.

“I have always enjoyed my football and this has given me a new lease of life. Since I’d given up playing vets - I was still going to the gym and all that - but this has kicked in.

“It’s all done properly with England. I have got a cap that’s been embroidered for the World Nations Cup.

"We try to train once every six weeks.”

Groom was tempted to give walking football a go by goalkeeper Mickey Orme. Orme, a former Erith & Belvedere player, still wants to continue playing - despite a recent hip replacement.

Groom said: “He talked me into it. I was like a lot of people, saying ‘walking football?’ and sort of turned my nose up a bit a couple of times.

“But he twisted my arm and I really enjoy it now. Within no time, really, I had an England trial and they liked me.

“I sneaked into their last squad before the World Nations Cup.”

Bexley-based Groom often finds himself in midfield.

“Because it’s six-a-side, you, obviously, have five outfield players,” he said. “The normal formation is 1-3-1 and I like to play in the middle of the three.

“But to be