AN EVERGREEN former footballer who spent 40 years at Milborne St Andrew has been called up to the England Over-75s walking football squad.

John Kane, 76, will don the Three Lions shirt when England tackle the Republic of Ireland Over-70s in a one-off game at Evesham United on Wednesday, June 12.

Matches in walking football are usually six or seven-a-side and take place in halves lasting up to 20 minutes.

Speaking to Echosport, Kane said: “Obviously, I was extremely pleased. Whatever the sport and at whatever age, it’s a moment to be proud of.

READ MORE: Shaun Hennessy dons gloves for Ireland's walking football team

“I play my football for AFC Bournemouth Over-70s and we were Southern League winners last year.

“Then, I played at Dorset county level in the nationals and then I got selected for the South West.

“From there, I was invited for a trial for England and subsequently I’ve had the call-up.”

And how did Kane get into walking football?

“It was transitional, really,” he explains. “I turned up at one game for Milborne when I was 60 and somebody didn’t turn up or was injured.

“We were at Sixpenny Handley, I remember it quite vividly. Because we were short, I actually played my last game and actually scored.

“I got in the car and by the time I got home I couldn’t get out!

“I was fortunate that by the time I was finishing playing football, walking football was just kicking off, so I more or less went straight into it.

“I’ve been playing with AFC Bournemouth for a while.”

And Kane has always been involved with football through his rich Dorset connections, playing a key role in future-proofing the facilities at Milborne.

He added: “Although I now live in Winchester, I spent 40 years living in Milborne St. Andrew where I was involved with the football club there.

“I was one of a team of people who raised £300,000 off the Football Foundation to build a sports facility out there. It’s still considered to be one of the best in Dorset.”

Kane, a retired financial advisor, also has to navigate his way around comparisons with England captain Harry Kane.

He said: “I’m expected to crack a few goals in because of the name, it’s a burden!

“I wish I had his ability or, better still, was on his money!”

The draws of walking football go far beyond the game itself, though.

Kane said: “I think when you get older, it’s the benefits of walking football from anyone at 60 right up to their 80s, both from a physical and mental health side.

“It’s the fact you’re meeting blokes two or three times a week and you have friendship groups.

“We had one chap who had prostate cancer. We were all having a coffee and he talked about that.

“Other people got tested and managed to catch their prostate cancer early.”

You can try walking football in Weymouth, Dorchester Town and at several other locations in Dorset.