Walking Football in Derby Brings Over 50 Immigrant Men Together for Community and Connection
Seniorman Network CIC hosts a powerful Walking Football Community Day for immigrant men in Derby
What started as a simple walking football session became a memorable community event for more than 50 immigrant men in Derby.
On Sunday, 20 September 2026, men from Nigeria, Ghana, across Africa and beyond gathered at the University of Derby Sport Centre for the Seniorman Network Walking Football Community Day.
Just three days before founder Femi Ogunmoye’s 40th birthday, the event brought together immigrant men aged 18–55 for an afternoon of football, food, photography, friendship and community.
More than just a sporting event, the gathering highlighted the importance of social connection, men’s wellbeing and community support for immigrants living in the UK.
Walking Football Community Event in Derby
The event was promoted with a simple message:
“Baba No Miss Am.”
Men were encouraged to attend wearing their favourite football club jerseys and come ready to enjoy an afternoon of football and community.
The event included walking football, free souvenirs, food and drinks from Foodish by Don Karis, and professional photography by JohnBliss Photography.
The organisers also arranged professionally edited photographs from the event to be shared with participants afterwards.
Over 50 Immigrant Men Attend
More than 50 immigrant men attended the community football event at the University of Derby Sport Centre.
Participants arrived wearing jerseys representing clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid, alongside Nigeria and other national team shirts.
The atmosphere quickly became lively, with football banter, laughter and friendly competition filling the pitch.
Although the event was organised around walking football, an impromptu match soon developed, creating an energetic and memorable afternoon for everyone involved.
For many attendees, it was also an opportunity to meet other men who understand the experience of building a new life in the UK.
Food, Football and Community
Food played an important part in bringing everyone together.
Foodish by Don Karis provided food and drinks, adding a taste of Nigerian hospitality to the Derby community event.
Meanwhile, JohnBliss Photography captured the day’s biggest moments, including goals, celebrations, group photographs and the friendships developing throughout the afternoon.
The top 10 photographs were professionally edited and sent directly to participants, giving the men lasting memories of a day centred around connection and community.
Supporting Immigrant Men’s Wellbeing in Derby
At the heart of the event was Seniorman Network CIC, a community organisation supporting immigrant men aged 18–55.
The organisation was founded by Femi Ogunmoye, a Nigerian immigrant who experienced some of the challenges that can come with starting a new life in the UK.
After working night shifts in a warehouse and experiencing the loneliness that can accompany life away from home, Femi set out to create a supportive community where immigrant men could connect, talk, participate in activities and build meaningful friendships.
Seniorman Network now provides several free programmes focused on men’s wellbeing, social connection and peer support.
These include:
- Walking Football
- The Bench Peer Support
- Wellbeing Workshops
- Barbing & Brotherhood Days
- Peer Support Group
- Seniorman Kels, a free anonymous AI wellbeing companion available 24/7
The organisation is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and is rooted in Derby, while its wider mission is to support immigrant men wherever they are.
Why Community Matters for Immigrant Men
Moving to another country can involve major changes in work, relationships, culture and social life.
For immigrant men, building new friendships and finding spaces where they feel comfortable can be an important part of settling into a new community.
Events such as the Seniorman Network Walking Football Community Day create opportunities for men to meet others, share experiences, stay active and build genuine connections.
On this Sunday afternoon in Derby, football provided the starting point — but community was the bigger story.
What 50 Men on a Football Pitch Looked Like
It looked like belonging.
It looked like an Arsenal fan joking with a Barcelona supporter about a questionable goal.
It looked like strangers becoming teammates and teammates becoming friends.
It looked like men putting aside the pressures of work, bills, family responsibilities and adapting to life in a new country — even if only for a few hours.
There was football.
There was food.
There was laughter.
Most importantly, there was connection.
And three days later, as Femi Ogunmoye celebrated his 40th birthday, he had something special to celebrate beyond his birthday.
He could see the community he had dreamed of creating becoming a reality.
Join Seniorman Network in Derby
Seniorman Network CIC is free and open to immigrant men aged 18–55.
Walking Football takes place fortnightly at the University of Derby Sport Centre, providing an opportunity for men to stay active, meet new people and become part of a supportive community.
If you are an immigrant man living in Derby or the surrounding area and looking for friendship, community activities or peer support, Seniorman Network offers a welcoming space to connect.
Website: seniorman.co.uk
WhatsApp: 07345 038545
Social Media: @Seniorman_network on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn
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