There are some things in football that mean far more than the final score.
For the players and coaches of the WFA England Kicking Cancer team, pulling on the Three Lions is about friendship, determination, overcoming adversity and showing that a cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean leaving the game you love behind.
That spirit was in evidence at Plock Court in Gloucester, where nine Walking Football Association England teams recently came together for a special training day. Among them was Marcus Renzi, coach of the England Kicking Cancer team, whose own story makes his involvement particularly remarkable.
Marcus joined the England set-up in August 2025 after spotting a WFA social media post. He contacted England Kicking Cancer manager John ‘Coops’ Cooper, explained that he held a UEFA B Licence and went along to a training session.
A wheelchair user, Marcus says he is the only qualified WFA referee in a wheelchair in the country, and possibly the world, and, as far as he is aware, the only wheelchair-using coach of an able-bodied national side. But he is quick to turn the attention away from himself and towards the people he coaches.
“I get a lot of admiration for the things I do, being a wheelchair user, but the admiration I have for all of the England Kicking Cancer squad is immense,” he said. “I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
The Kicking Cancer story began after the positive effect walking football was having on people living with Parkinson’s was recognised. John Cooper, who had himself been diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2020, wondered whether something similar could be created for people affected by cancer.
The first Kicking Cancer match was played in 2023 at Burton Albion, where the team recorded a 7-3 victory against Chesterfield FC Community Trust Cancer Team. Games against Nottingham Forest and Pride of Lions followed before a fixture against Arsenal Strollers at the Emirates Hub.
Tragically, Tony Linforth-Hall, who had helped create the Kicking Cancer logo, passed away just days after attending that game. His widow, Maria, was determined that his dream should continue and supported the formation of an England Kicking Cancer team.
Trials began in 2024 and, by September, a 20-player England squad had been selected, with Coops as manager. Maria has since formed the WFA Kicking Cancer charity in Tony’s honour.
The team’s journey has already taken it overseas. After international fixtures in Jersey, the squad travelled to Spain in October 2025 for exhibition matches during the World Nations Cup, recording victories against Singapore, England 80s, Spain Women’s Over-40s and Cyprus 50s, as well as drawing with a Japanese mixed-age side.
In April this year, they travelled to Paphos, Cyprus, playing eight matches in five days in gruelling heat. They won six, drew one and lost once, with Marcus earning his England cap during the trip.
Now attention turns to the Euro Nations tournament in Spain in November 2026, with several Gloucestershire players involved.
Among those hoping to play is England player Mark ‘Atters’ Atterbury, whose own story demonstrates the spirit of the squad. Mark was diagnosed with prostate cancer eight years ago and, while playing for a hospital football training team, was asked to play for Kicking Cancer.
England’s Kicking Cancer team proving football really is for everyone
