The Coedpoeth walking football club is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend with a tournament at Pen Y Cae Football Club, marking a decade of growth in Wrexham's grassroots sport scene.
From a community idea to regional presence
Formed in August 2016 to encourage gentle exercise for men aged over 50, Coedpoeth WFC has expanded significantly. The club now fields 36 male players and a women's section of more than 20 participants. The anniversary event, which kicks off at 11am on Sunday, will bring together teams from Wrexham, Anglesey and Chester alongside Coedpoeth’s men's and women's sides.
Club chairman Dave Donaghy highlighted the role of local initiative in the club’s origins and longevity.
"The idea to start a walking football group came from Arthur Evans, who was the community agent for the village at the time and is now the club's president. Arthur's vision and foresight were the key to everything that's followed,"
Donaghy reflected on the unlikely endurance of the project, noting he did not expect the group to last beyond weeks, let alone a decade.
Achievements and representative honours
Over ten years Coedpoeth has secured competitive success and contributed players to national squads. The club’s honours and representative milestones include:
- Winners of the Coalfields Cup and the Deeside Cup
- Twice runners-up in the North Wales walking football league
- Runners-up in the All-Wales play-offs
- 20 players have represented Wales (16 men, 4 women)
Notably, in 2021 Donaghy and teammate Geoff Pilmoor were members of the Wales squads that secured victories in both the running and walking football competitions at an event in Copenhagen, giving them the rare distinction of double World Cup winners.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Club formation | August 2016 |
| Male players | 36 |
| Women players | 20+ |
| Anniversary event | Sunday, 11am at Pen Y Cae FC |
Opportunities and local impact
The club has become more than a sporting side; its women's section—established in 2023—now drives much of the fundraising activity. Three of the club's six founding members—Mel Jones, Keith Edwards and Dave Salathiel—remain active and play regularly in their 80s, underlining the group’s role in promoting long-term, age-appropriate physical activity.
For locals interested in attending the tournament or joining the club, the event at Pen Y Cae offers a chance to see walking football in focus and to meet members. The club has emphasised that it always welcomes new players, though numbers may be limited for practical reasons.
Coedpoeth’s decade of existence demonstrates how targeted community initiatives can grow into sustainable local institutions. Its blend of competitive success, representative honours and inclusive participation speaks to walking football’s appeal as a low-impact sport that fosters fitness and social connection among older adults.
