Most footballers give up hope of lifting the FA Cup when they retire in their mid-30s.

Not this lot. Some of the squad had never kicked a ball in anger before the age of 70 and yet the Medway Marauders over-50s, based at Strood Sports Centre, are serious contenders in the walking football category of the People’s FA Cup this year.

Although “serious” is probably not quite the right word.

“We do dribbling automatically,” jests secretary Chris Pocock when asked to dribble the ball for a photo and, as he explained, the team’s focus is on having fun.

“I never played as a youngster,” he said. “I played rugby at school. We used to kick a football about in the back yard of the training centre when I was an instructor on the London Underground, but you could hardly call it football.

“You don’t have to able to run, you don’t have to be super fit. My purpose is to just get out of breath without hurting myself.”

Flying in on Chris like Nobby Stiles – and coincidentally the same age at 73 – is Les Rough. But while he might be of the same vintage as 1966 World Cup winner Nobby, he admits to a little less match experience.

“I’ve been playing since May,” said Les. “I’d never played football before, but my grandson plays and I went to the presentation day for his team with my great-granddaughter. She found this group on the internet

“I just wanted to play football. I had a heart attack three years ago, and it keeps me fit.”

On the other hand, Dario Modena, 72, is full of the cockiness of youth. “It’s Modena, like the Ferrari,” he says, on how to spell his name, and proceeds to spend the rest of the kickabout arguing decisions.

“Dario complains about everything,” says Chris. “He works on the principle that if he complains six times, one complaint will be held up.”

Other characters exercising their vocal chords as much as their legs include John Guest – a former Sergeant Major in the Blues and Royals, as well as a former football manager and coach.

“You’ll hear his voice,” adds Chris, and right on queue John begins barking, parade-ground-style, from the edge of the penalty area.

Younger players including Steve Jones, Mark Stubbington, Peter Partington, Paul Allum, Howard Cryer and Phil Morrison make up the first team, who will embark on their People’s FA Cup journey on Sunday, January 24.

The cup is open to amateur teams around the country, and last year the Medway Marauders got through county and regional stages, only to be beaten by a team that would eventually come second overall.

The rules are simple – no one worries about offside, the ball can’t be kicked above head height, and you can’t run.

Whatever the outcome of this year’s campaign, success or failure is unlikely to make a difference to a team that values fun and camaraderie above everything else.

“We don’t really count the goals,” said Chris. “We just go out and have a good time.”