We are sad to announce the loss of John "Toffee Boy" Mantle.

Walton Swifts Walking Football Club
Walton Swifts Walking Football Club
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Scroll down to read our tributes to players we have lost

Elderly man in black and white striped sports jersey with arms crossed.

Chris Knighton 1943 - 2024 Scroll down to read about Chris.

Chris Knighton 1943 - 2024 Scroll down to read about Chris.

Chris Knighton 1943 - 2024 Scroll down to read about Chris.

Elderly man smiling, wearing a black and white Puma jacket.

John Kilby 1950 - 2023 Scroll down to read about John.

Chris Knighton 1943 - 2024 Scroll down to read about Chris.

Chris Knighton 1943 - 2024 Scroll down to read about Chris.

Elderly man wearing a black and white striped sports jersey standing with arms crossed.

John "Bingo" Lake 1939 - 2023 Scroll down to read about Bingo.

Chris Knighton 1943 - 2024 Scroll down to read about Chris.

John "Bingo" Lake 1939 - 2023 Scroll down to read about Bingo.

John "Toffee" Mantle 1957 - 2026 Scroll down to read about John.

Paul Evans 1960 - 2018 Scroll down to read about Paul.

John "Bingo" Lake 1939 - 2023 Scroll down to read about Bingo.

Logo of Walton Swifts Walking Football Club with a swift bird and Latin motto.

Paul Evans 1960 - 2018 Scroll down to read about Paul.

Paul Evans 1960 - 2018 Scroll down to read about Paul.

Paul Evans 1960 - 2018 Scroll down to read about Paul.

Chris Knighton

1943 - 2024

Chris Knighton was one of two men who brought the sport of Walking Football to his much loved home town of Walton on the Naze. An immense character to whom we all owe a great deal.


Chris, along with his great friend John Kilby, created the Walton Swifts from nothing.


Chris was a great "raconteur" who had a story, usually a very long story, for every occasion. He could easily hold a room (or more often a bar) mesmerised in the palm of his hand and often did just that.  This is a man who was loved and respected in all aspects of Walton life and not just the football club.


We'll remember him bringing armfuls of Moira's lovely food for us to eat after playing football and we'll remember him waking us up with phone messages at dawn showing his photos of the Walton sunrise over the sea. We'll remember him drinking Guinness and turning up to play football in his everyday clothes and shoes.  


Chris lived his life to the full, it seemed he'd been everywhere, knew everybody and he'd done everything.


Chris was a big man in every way and we shall miss him greatly but never forget him.


Rest in Peace Chris and thank you. 

 

John Kilby

1950 - 2023

1950 - 2023

1950 - 2023

Rest in peace John Kilby

1950 - 2023

1950 - 2023

John was involved in playing and coaching football all of his adult life and was a driving force in women’s football long before we all became interested in our current England lionesses.


In 2014, along with another Walton man Chris Knighton, John initiated a Walking Football Club in Walton on the Naze for the physical and social well bein

John was involved in playing and coaching football all of his adult life and was a driving force in women’s football long before we all became interested in our current England lionesses.


In 2014, along with another Walton man Chris Knighton, John initiated a Walking Football Club in Walton on the Naze for the physical and social well being of people over 50. Walking football was very new back then and John’s initiative was amongst the first in Tendring and North Essex.

1950 - 2023

In the time since then, John’s Walton Swifts Walking Football club  became hugely successful through JKs energy and commitment. He was rightly proud of the really positive impact he has had on the lives of more than 100 walking footballers and their wives, husbands and partners who also now enjoy an active social group.


John’s legacy will 

In the time since then, John’s Walton Swifts Walking Football club  became hugely successful through JKs energy and commitment. He was rightly proud of the really positive impact he has had on the lives of more than 100 walking footballers and their wives, husbands and partners who also now enjoy an active social group.


John’s legacy will be the creation of a Walking Football club that provides a truly valued facility for local men and women over 50 who want to keep active and enjoy the benefit of new friends. The members of the walking football team owe him a great debt of thanks and he leave us as a much loved friend.

John Lake "Bingo"

1939 -2023

Rest in Peace John Lake  "Bingo" 


"Bingo" will always be remembered as  a Walton Swifts legend.


After a life following his love of sport  and helping others, John joined Walton Swifts Walking Football Club as one of its earliest  members in 2014 and played regularly up to twice a week well into his 83rd year.


A lifelong Spurs fan John spent much of his life involved in sport in his native North London eventually acting as a trustee of a Spurs backed charity providing football facilities for young people in the area.

Bingo the Swift


From his early days at the walking football club when he'd leave to take his beloved wife "Mave" to her bingo session mid way through a game, John was the best possible example of what being a Walton Swift is about.


He loved his football and readily admitted to anybody who would listen just how Walking Football brought him great health benefits. A regular goalscorer well into his 80s, Bingo will also be remembered for scoring the greatest ever Walton Swifts goal in competitive walking football.


Bingo not only embraced the game but also found great enjoyment in the social side of the club. He considered himself to have found 50 or so new mates. In return Bingo was loved by all who played with him for his humour, his kindness and his friendship.


Bingo will certainly never be forgotten by any of us who met him and had the huge privilege of playing football with him. 





John "Toffee Boy" Mantle

Rest in peace John "Toffee Boy" Mantle


1957 - 2026

"Toffee" John Mantle was a Swift great. 


After moving from Watford, John joined the Walton Swifts Walking Football Club and made an instant impact with his unmistakable gruff voice and obvious good football background.


John soon became a big part of the club and made many  good friends as his lovely wife Alison became very popular with us a

"Toffee" John Mantle was a Swift great. 


After moving from Watford, John joined the Walton Swifts Walking Football Club and made an instant impact with his unmistakable gruff voice and obvious good football background.


John soon became a big part of the club and made many  good friends as his lovely wife Alison became very popular with us all too.


The club was immensely shocked and saddened by his sudden passing away.


John represented the club many times and was most often the backbone of our defence where his knowledge and experience was particularly valuable.


Our "Toffee Boy" was seldom seen over our own  half way line,  leaving such things to the forward softies!!


Both on and off the pitch John is greatly missed by all of us who knew him and the Swifts is a much  poorer club for his loss.

Paul Evans

Paul Evans

Paul played with the Swifts all too briefly at the Frinton Tennis Club on Wednesday evenings. Paul was a good footballer with a shock of grey hair and a good nature,


Paul died at a tragically young age from heart problems and our club is a poorer place without him.



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