Chesterfield sporting pioneer recognised in first Lucozade Sport Movers List

Chesterfield’s John Croot, pioneer of walking football and CEO of Chesterfield FC Community Trust, has been included in the UK’s first Lucozade Sport Movers List.

From a paddleboard yoga enthusiast and a BMXer steering youths away from gang violence, to an ‘IronGran’ dedicated to keeping O.A.Ps fit, the Lucozade Sport team of researchers have recognised 50 individuals who inspire others to move.

John is non-executive director of the Walking Football Association and has played a key part in introducing walking football to the world. Walking football is credited with helping to stimulate mental and physical wellbeing for the older generation. The slower pace and less contact is perfect for people looking to keep active by playing the sport they love. Walking Football is now played in over 50 countries, and has over 60,000 players in the UK.

John said: “I’m delighted to be included in the first ever Lucozade Sport Movers List. It’s great to be recognised for the role I have played in the modern version of walking football. It’s unbelievable to think that a sport that started only a few years ago in Chesterfield has grown to be one of the fastest growing sports in the world.”

In June, Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium hosted the first ever Walking Football European Nations Cup. The weekend featured a national club tournament on Saturday, followed by the European Nations Cup on Sunday. There were around 250 players over the two days, involving Over 50s and Over 60s teams from different European nations.

You can view John’s Movers List profile here.

Photographer Gray Hughes