On Thursday 4th of May 2023, Stevenage Football Club Foundation held their 3rd Annual Memorial Walking Football Tournament at Herts FA in Letchworth Garden City to remember Community Coach, Ken Headington.
Seven teams came together and participated in the tournament with £600 being raised from participant fees and donation buckets. Half of these proceeds will be donated to the British Heart Foundation, at the request of Ken’s wife, Sandra Headington.
Sandra also attended the tournament and presented the winners shield and first and second place medals.
The teams that participated were:
- Bushey Blues
- Bushey Reds
- Cheshunt FC Walking Football
- Ford United
- Luton Town Walking Football
- Mostly Monday Nighters
- Stevenage Stollers
The winners of the tournament were Stevenage Strollers with second place going to Bushey Reds. It was a fantastic event and a privilege to support such a well-respected Charity whilst enjoying a sport that Ken loved.
Sandra has written the below statement regarding Ken and the tournament:
“It was a great honour and privilege to be invited by Stevenage Football Club Foundation to attend the Walking Football memorial tournament that was held in my late husband Ken Headington’s name.
“Ken dedicated most of his life to football, the game he loved. When young he played himself but soon realised his ambition and vocation lie in coaching rather than playing. He spent many years as a coach with Bedwell Rangers coaching boys and girls of all ages and abilities. He saw many pass through the age groups and some of those he coached as youngsters are now in fact working for the Foundation.
“He was a great believer that football was for all. He set up a disability team whilst at Bedwell Rangers and also created along with Stevenage Borough Council the Upfront project which was aimed at disadvantaged young adults who for whatever reason could not take part in mainstream football. This project ran for many a year and was very successful.
“He worked for Hearts FA as a development officer which enabled him to work in a job he was so passionate about.
“He then went on to work for the Stevenage FC Foundation as a Community Coach, as he was now approaching his later years he became interested in Walking Football. He started setting up and coaching groups which enabled men and women who maybe thought their footballing days were over start to be able to play again, not only helping with their fitness but developing a new social circle.
“Sadly Ken passed away quite suddenly in Feb 2019 but he has left behind him a great footballing legacy and I’m sure football in Hertfordshire would not be as it is now if it wasn’t for Ken.
“That is why it was such an honour to me and his family that this walking football memorial tournament was created in Ken’s name. It was so good for me to be able to go along and meet with the players and staff to see how much the game has progressed and to see the enjoyment everyone had in taking part and how they have benefited in being involved. Also to hear how well thought of he was and that he would never be forgotten. So I thank the Foundation for this amazing tribute to Ken in keeping his memory alive. He would have been so proud of you all and what you have achieved.”
