Not too long ago in galaxy not too far away, following a period of isolation caused by a global virus outbreak, a couple of old boys decided to resurrect a walking football group.
Ken Bartram ensured a pitch could be secured, whilst Abbas Sabokbar began contacting (the ten to fifteen) players who had formerly played weekly games at Hurstpierpoint College prior to the pandemic. During the winter of 2020, the die was cast and the weekly sessions became a regular occurrence at the Triangle Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill.
Hurst Pretenders Walking Football Club was officially founded the following year, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. In 2022, with the support of Tony Twomey, Paul May, Andy Dale, Brian Shergold and Steve Tomlin, the club’s committee was formed.
After a short battle with cancer, Ken Bartram left us in September 2024 for a better place to join his beloved Celia. The following year, cancer took away Andy Dale from us too. Ken and Andy’s names will always be remembered with great fondness by the club.
2026 marked a number of great milestones for the Pretenders: 1) the number of club members exceeded 90 for the first time; 2) We were able to enter three teams in the Southern Combination Walking Football League; 3) We were able to regularly enter three teams in the Worthing/Lancing tournaments; plus, finally, 4) we were represented by two teams at a prestigious tournament in France, hosted by the national champions.
Today’s commitee members include Janet Williamson (Social Secretary), Sadie Twomey (Club Treasurer), Steve Bartram, Bhurinder Gill, Arnie Murray, Mark Noakes, Mark Bennett (60s League Manager), Paul May (50s League Manager), Steve Tomlin (club Vice Chair), Brian Shergold (Limited Mobility Group Lead), Tony Twomey (Club Chairman) and Abbas Sabokbar (Club Secretary)
Long live the Hurst Pretenders
