50-year-old amateur footballer Craig Kirby goes viral
Amateur footballer Craig Kirby goes viral for veteran league clips and skill His story shows grief, resilience and why staying active still matters
Craig Kirby, a 50yearold amateur footballer from Rochdale, has gained a large online following after videos of his matches and training went viral on TikTok and Instagram.
Kirby, who plays for Whitworth Valley and now Vauxhall Motors in a veterans league, began posting clips after his wife started filming his games. His posts have drawn praise for his technique and for showing that competitive football can still be enjoyed later in life.
The article also describes the personal loss that shaped his decision to keep playing after the death of his son Sebastian in 2023. Kirby says football has helped him cope with grief, and he hopes his story encourages others to stay active and talk openly about mental health.