Neal feels the benefit of LFC scheme
For nine years he was one of the fittest players at Anfield - and three decades on from his last Liverpool game, Phil Neal is still keeping active by utilising an LFC community scheme.
The Reds' most-decorated ever player popped along to L4 last week to show his support for the 'Extra Time' programme - an initiative run in conjunction with the Football Foundation and SportRelief and aims to deliver social and physical activities for the over 55s in the local community.
Neal took part in a demonstration to show examples of the activities on offer - and afterwards he was keen to stress the message behind the project.
"It's really important to stay active at any age, but particularly when you reach my age," he said.
"You have to maintain a level of activity and a healthy lifestyle. It's really beneficial and I think it's great Liverpool are supporting a project like this."
LFC are delivering the programme via their Action for Health initiative.
Supported by Liverpool PCT and Liverpool City Council, and with delivery co-ordinated with Breckfield North Everton Neighbourhood Council, 16 sessions run in 11 community and sheltered housing scheme venues engaging around 700 over 55s every week.
Activities include chair-based exercises, Tai Chi, walking groups, Wii Fit, line dancing and general fitness sessions.
Extra Time programme manager, Femina Miakkar, said: "It's really important to stay active at any age, particularly in later life. As the risk of disease increases, it's particularly beneficial to stay active to reduce those risks.
"This is also a social inclusion programme and it's really good for older people to get out, meet people and increase their social networks.
"Speaking to our participants, they've told us it's impacted upon their physical strength, flexibility and mobility, and they are finding everyday tasks easier to do.
"In terms of a social impact, they're feeling more confident, their self-esteem has gone up and they feel supported and benefited from an increase in their social networks.
"To have Liverpool involved is amazingly important. The reputation and awareness of having a club of this stature involved is immense. The participants trust what is being delivered to them because of the brand of the club."
LFC's Action for Health manager, Mark Haig, added: "We know the Liverpool FC badge is very powerful and attracts people to these programmes, and we believe they are getting real benefit from taking part."
Here are some photos from the event
