SUNDAYS are often spent in a pub watching football, where I shout at the supremely fit athletes on TV for not doing what they should, without a single thought for the irony of the situation, with me barking orders from a comfy chair and swilling lager.

So when I was invited to join a group of people who go by the name of the Silly Army and meet every Sunday for activities and fun sports for hours on end, I was a little unsure what to expect.

However, when I pulled into Kings Park at 2pm and looked over at the group of people assembled next to the mountain of space hoppers, go karts, a variety of bats and already in the middle of a five-a-side tennis volleyball match, I thought "this could be fun".

Pete, the organiser, introduced me to the rest of the "army", who were made up of all sexes, ages, creeds and sporting abilities and explained how the idea came about.

He said: "We invented the Silly Army as an excuse for adults of all ages to run around like kids, playing silly games and sports, like we used to do at school."

"Some of our favourite games include tag bulldog, dodgeball, spacehopper polo and spacehopper rugby, ultimate frisbee (sort of), five-a-side tennis, sticky ball and silly stick hockey."

After that description I could not wait to get involved with the games. First up was spacehopper polo and we split into two teams, grabbed a hopper and a bat each and away we went. After about 10 minutes of much hopping and much effort it was still nil-nil due to some excellent goal keeping from Billy the Kid, at just 10 the youngest member of the Silly Army.

The ages of the other army members go right up to people way past retirement age.

Pete said, "We had a lady well into her 70s, who came along once and joined in with a few games of tag in the woodlands and she got really involved, then another chap in his 80s came along and managed to beat a few of the younger guys in the go-kart races."

This really is a group willing to accept all ages and abilities and if I ever doubted they would live up to their name, the second game put the matter beyond doubt.

Dodgeball was played in a circle with a giant silver fitness ball, ten times the size of a football, that was used as the dodgeball. The entire army, bar one, was in the middle of the circle and co-founder, Dave Hann, launched the ball into the crowd from the outside, trying to hit as many people as possible, who then joined him on the outside.

I'm ashamed to say I was about the fifth person knocked out, leaving the other seven or so to dodge our throws.

Posing while being aimed at got you bonus points and it was soon down to the last remaining person who was eventually hit and it was on to the next game.

Dave and Pete started the Silly Army because they wanted to play games and have fun, but didn't want to join a sports club where it was too serious or too expensive.

The Silly Army meets at 2pm every Sunday at King's Park, between the football pitches and the indoor bowls pavilion. There is no charge and anyone over 16 is welcome to join in.

Pete and Dave have bought all the equipment for the Silly Army and other members have purchased certain items as well, but Pete says it has all been worth it.

"We love coming down here every Sunday and the best thing is you don't have to be super-fit or good at sports to get involved.

You just need enthusiasm, ideas, a bit of imagination and the ability to play games that involve running around with a waste paper basket strapped to your head."

They are always looking for new members, so if you are a bit bored this Sunday and want to get out and about, why not join the Silly Army? It certainly beats shouting at the TV and is certainly a lot better for your health!

l For more information email the sillyarmy@ yahoo.co.uk or visit spanglefish.com/silly army