From regional roots to a national final

Every so often, a story captures something that feels familiar. Recently for us, that was a story about the East Sussex Over 60s Football team.

Four years ago, frustrated by the lack of competitive football opportunities for men in their 60s, David Tasker decided to do something about it. Not walking football. Not nostalgia. Proper 11-a-side competitive football.

What started as one man solving a local problem has grown into a squad of more than 35 players, and this weekend they won their national semi-final 3–2 to secure a place in the National Over 60s Cup Final.

But these are not casual Sunday kickabouts. Spend a few minutes reading the player biographies and the depth of experience quickly becomes clear.

This is a squad that has played across county leagues, senior divisions and even semi-professional football in England and abroad. There are former county representatives, FA Cup qualifiers, and long-standing club captains.

But virtually none of them had ever played in a national final. Until now.

When the final whistle blew in the semi-final victory over Lincolnshire, David described being in tears. Not because of a single match result, but because of what it represented: four years of persistence, organisation, belief and shared effort.

From local initiative to national stage

What began as a grassroots idea in East Sussex is now a team heading to a national final.

It’s a reminder that regional communities still build things from the ground up. That progress often starts with one person spotting a gap and deciding to act. And that ambition isn’t defined by geography or by stage of life.

We recognise that journey. FOLK2FOLK itself began in Cornwall, built around the belief that regional Britain deserved better access to finance. What starts locally can grow nationally, when there’s enough determination behind it.

Why it resonates with us

At FOLK2FOLK, we’ve spent the last 13 years focused on Britain’s regions – the towns and communities where people quietly get on with building businesses, creating opportunities and backing their own ideas. We see that determination every day in the regional business owners we work with.

And in East Sussex Over 60s we recognise that same spirit: a group of people who saw something missing, stepped up, and built it themselves.

The National Over 60s Cup Final takes place on 19th April at Alton FC, East Sussex, versus Worcestershire.

We’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.

You can learn more about the club here.