A friendly kickabout

AN over 50s football team is inviting residents in Pinoso to relive their youth with a social kickabout every week. The group also plays competitive matches against other over 50s teams in the Costa Blanca region.

The club has around 30 members made up of lifelong football fans, players and novices who come together to enjoy a fun game, light exercise and a couple of social drinks too. Practice is held every Thursday at 10am at the astro turf pitch behind Pinoso Sports Centre.

The group are also a generous bunch and hold a Christmas donation campaign for local charities each year as well as sponsoring three talented young football players from disadvantaged backgrounds in Pinoso by paying their kit and club membership costs.

Organiser Gary Hawkins describes the club as a great way to get some fitness back in your life” and a “cracking way to make new friends.” Hawkins encourages players to get down to the sports centre on a Thursday morning whether it’s to “join in or just watch and then come for a drink or two afterwards.”

The service contractor, Esatur, took over the promotion of the Castle in January 2022 and the forecast was to reach 400,000 visitors in one year. By the end of January 2023, the number of visits had reached almost 700,000.

The Head of the Alicante City & Beach Board, Mari Carmen Sanchez, said “the success of this initiative with which we have managed to bring the Castle back to life. This is thanks to the guided tours and cultural and leisure activities designed for all ages which had been programmed throughout the year.”

“This was our goal, that locals and tourists could enjoy our city,” she added.