The Old Bags United Story - Part 4
In this installment, we meet a few more of the Bags squad, and find out what playing football means to them.
Charlotte (aka CR7), 33
I joined Bags because I saw Coach Jo’s Facebook status about it and have always enjoyed watching football with the husband, he has always played and my step son played and I fancied giving it a go. I was extremely nervous when I went I had never played football before so had no idea how I was going to be or how everyone else was going to be. There has been so much come from playing for the Bags, confidence, friends, a family dynamic, a tonne of laughter, fun nights out, holidays, the list is endless. It’s not just a case of turn up play and go home. We learn, we laugh, we enjoy. The fact that there are so many women there you would think there would be fall outs and clicks but our team is by far the opposite, when we play tournaments we have heard teams call each other out but we won’t do that - we are a team and we succeed as one. There have been so many positives with joining the Bags I don’t even know where to begin but it has definitely given me the confidence to play football and whether your good or bad there’s always room for you. If you ever feel like giving it a go, two words: DO IT!
Catherine (aka Bradders), 49
I've played football since I could walk, with 4 big brothers I was football mad for as long as I can remember. I just assumed I'd play in the primary school team because I was easily good enough, so I was utterly baffled when the inevitable "but she's a girl" protests started. Thank you Mr Stewart, who was our mostly silent and grumpy football lead at school who simply said "she's one of our best players, she's playing".
Then a football desert at secondary school as my absence of penis meant I could only play netball apparently. University opened the doorway again, for 3 years straight London league wins..the glory days. Then work, kids etc. led to a 20 year gap (how did I let that happen). Then age 44 I heard about the Bags. I nervously joined having no idea what to expect...minute 1..loved it...I was welcomed and before I knew it I was playing 3 times a week for Bags, a national futsal team, running the running the Kent Futsal Women’s League, walking football and at the age 49 back to 11-a -side league football. I love playing for the Bags, it’s a community of support around the love of football genuinely for all. Bags for Life ❤.
CJ, 50
I played a bit of football as a child with all the local lads. They always stuck me in goal, as I wasn’t skilful or fast enough, out on the pitch. At university I joined the team and got put in goal again, because everyone else refused. When I left Uni, I started up Canterbury Ladies. This was before mobiles and social media, so I put adverts in newspapers and shops. Somehow, I found players, amazing players, and we joined a league, one player even plays for the Old Bags now, so that was amazing to see her (Franco) again.
As time went on, I gave up as I kept getting injured (headbutting goal posts, breaking fingers …!). I missed it – loads – so years later, when I saw an advert for ‘older ladies’ footy, well, the rest is history!
The best bit about Bags is the friendship. Amazing friendships with amazing people. Tournaments too – absolutely love that thrill and nervous feeling, of playing in a tournament. Can’t beat it. My absolute highlight, of course, was playing in the Old Girls World Cup. This meant the world to me and always will.
The Old Bags are an amazing bunch of people and the support we give each other is special. The football is just a bonus.
Hellyn (aka Hotshot), 38
I joined the bags September 2018. I was nervous to join at first because I didn’t know anybody. There was absolutely no need as everyone was so welcoming and treated me as part of the team straightaway. I have always been lucky enough to play football and played in my youth. When I had children I gave it up and watched them in their teams from the sidelines. Every weekend I would wish it was me on the pitch! Joining the bags has been has been the best thing ever for me! Not only was I getting to play football again I have gained so many friends who genuinely care and are there for you. I feel really lucky to be part of this club and the fact that I get to do something for me which I truly look forward to every week! PS I may have been slightly traumatised at my first Bags Christmas do..... and don’t get me started on Bags Fest (our annual big party) The Bags throw the best party/ get togethers you could ever wish to attend.
Emma, 35
I had played for a Women's Sunday league team for 10 years, but unfortunately as a close knit but ageing group of women, we had struggled to recruit and retain players which had led to us reaching a position where we were no longer able to continue.
I desperately didn't want to give up playing though. Football had always been my escape. It provided me with an opportunity to switch off from life and the rest of the world and focus on nothing but the task in hand, so it had always been an excellent coping mechanism for me wellbeing wise. Win, lose or draw, the sense of freedom I experienced every time I stepped onto the pitch was something I knew I'd never find elsewhere. It was my one true passion, and the one thing that could get me through any tough week; knowing that on a Sunday I could rid myself of any tension and free myself of any stress.
I'd heard of the Bags and I was really inspired by what Jo, the coach, had created. Having played football for years, I knew that it wasn't always the most inclusive of sports and I wanted to join a team where I knew I'd feel comfortable, have things in common with my team mates and most of all, feel accepted. I knew I couldn’t be guaranteed that elsewhere, and was certain that I couldn't play for a team whose training and matches consisted of being constantly screamed at by a ‘coach’ on the side-lines (which was something I had become regularly accustomed to observing with opposition teams on a Sunday).
So there really was no decision to be made and I got in touch with Jo. The Bags turned out to be everything that I expected, and so much more. The Bags aren’t just a team, we’re a whole community. A community of wonderful women of mixed ages and footballing abilities who look out for each other. Football and friendship, hand in hand. The Canterbury Old Bags are football, quite literally, at its best.
Alison (aka Ally Ally Ally), 39
I’d played on and off since I was 7 (sole female member and proud captain of North County Primary school team 1992).
I moved to Canterbury in 2017 and didn’t know a soul. Football is where I’ve always found my friends. I emailed the FA to say I was a “mature” player looking for a group to play with for fun but didn’t hold out much hope. They gave me Jo’s email and the rest is history!
The main thing I’ve got from joining the Bags is a whole new set of amazing friends and a social life in a new city. The brilliant thing about the Bags is that group come from all walks of life with different levels of experience and ability when it comes to football, but everyone is there to have fun. I’ve made some real friends for life. For me (and I suspect this is true for many others) the time I spend with the Bags at training and tournaments is my time away from everything else that’s going on. I’ve always loved football because when I play, I only think about the game and you forget about everything else. It’s an amazing stress-reliever!
It’s also helped me get back into coaching football after a long break. I help Jo at the Thursday night Bags sessions, volunteer at the Canterbury Eagles/Bags Wildcats sessions on Saturdays and coach Faversham Strike Force Women in the local Sunday league.
