Autumn League 2019 Preview
Autumn League 2019 Preview
There are a few changes in this Autumn League 2019 Preview.
Heywood Sports Village
We have had complaints from the Heywood Sports Village that our league sessions are constantly running over our allotted time. This should be 11:00-13:00 and on most occasions we haven’t finished until almost 14:00. Rochdale Football Club have a block booking and although we have impeded on their session they have been most accommodating and never complained.
We have had to alter the format of which age categories and divisions play on which Thursday of the month. In the over 60’s league Divisions 1 & 2 will play on the 1st Thursday of the month. Divisions 3 & 4 will play on the 2nd Thursday.
Divisions 1 & 2 of the over 65’s league will play on the 3rd Thursday. Division 3 of the over 65’s and Divisions 1 & 2 of the over 70’s will play on the 4th Thursday.
A total of 44 teams will contest the three different age categories. The league is now at full capacity and any new team wishing to join will have to wait until a team withdraws.
The full calendar is on the website Home page.
It is essential that teams are ready and on the correct pitch in order to play their fixtures on time. Your cooperation is needed to ensure we complete all fixtures by 13:00.
Over 60s League
Dropping out of the over 60s league are Division 1 bottom two clubs Chadderton FC and Nash Amblers. This means that two clubs from Division 2 are promoted, Bury Relics and Bolton Wanderers Walkers. Together with Wakefield Wanderers, Rochdale AFC Strollers and Chorley FC Magpies, these five will form Division 1.
In Division 2, Fleetwood Town Flyers, Man City, AFC Blackpool Senior Seasiders (who escape relegation) are joined by Manchester Corinthians Reds and Northgate Strollers.
Division 3 will consist of Maccabi Old Codgers, Rochdale Striders, Roach Dynamos (who escape relegation), Preston North End Senior Whites and Manchester Corinthians Whites.
The teams forming Division 4 will be Rochdale Wanderers, Chorley FC Yellows, Salcom (formerly Mancom) and new teams Northgate Rovers, Moston Brook FC and Uppermill FC. The Man City ‘B’ team have withdrawn from the league due to lack of players.
Over 65s League
Third Space Seniors failed to register on time despite emails and texts reminders, so will no longer be involved in the over 65s league.
Division 1 teams are Bury Relics, Rochdale AFC Strollers, Salcom, Tameside Striders and Man City.
Division 2 teams are relegated Chorley FC, AFC Blackpool Senior Seasiders, Preston North End Senior Whites, Rochdale Striders (who escape relegation) and Manchester Corinthians.
Division 3 will consist of Wakefield Wanderers, Maccabi Old Codgers, Rochdale Wanderers and new teams Fleetwood Town Flyers and Moston Brook.
Over 70s League
There will now be two divisions for the over 70s. Teams in Division 1 will be Preston North End Senior Whites, Rochdale AFC Strollers, Tameside Striders and Bury Relics.
Division 2 teams will be Blackpool AFC Strollers, Man City, Salcom and new team Moston Brook.
Martin Dawson Trophy
Twelve teams will compete for the 2019 Martin Dawson Trophy on Sunday 15th September. Two groups of six will be made up as follows.
Group A
AFC Blackpool Senior Seasiders, Bolton Arena, Chorley FC WF, Halifax WFC, Manchester Corinthians, Rochdale AFC Strollers.
Group B
Blackburn WF, Bury Relics, Leeds Titans, Purple Panthers WF, Sheffield WF, Wakefield Wanderers.
There are some very strong sides in this tournament including last years winners Sheffield.
Rule Changes
Back Pass To Keeper
In line with most other leagues and tournaments the new rule will mean that a ball passed to an outfield player cannot be passed back to the keeper unless another player has touched the ball first.
Teams & Players
Within each age category, no player can play for more than one team in any given month.
Reminder
All shirts must be numbered differently. Shinpads must be worn. No peaked caps allowed. No watches or jewellery to be worn.
Referees
We also have a new referee, Bob Ingham. Welcome to Bob, who although he officiated in the Conference and Central Leagues, is fairly new to walking football. From what I have seen of Bob, he is going to be a great addition to our referees squad.
Scoresheet & Referee Assessment Forms
It is vitally important that every team manager completes the Score Sheet & Referee Assessment Form after each league session, copies of which will be handed to you at the registration desk. For the month of September please hand these to the fixtures secretary Steve Colesby, as I will be on holiday that month.
You can also find us on Facebook.
“Nash Amblers and Denton Walking Football only select HEYWOOD players for the G.M.W.F.league from within our own groups who play weekly with us at Denton, or Curzon Ashton. We do not look beyond our own regulars nor seek, or invite players from other ‘clubs’ or groups to join us.” Some selective quoting going on here Bill. Let’s keep the record straight. The F.P.L. is a completely different kettle of fish to Heywood. Vive la difference.
I don’t do ‘sly’ and I don’t do ‘perfunctory’ As many of our players have established cordial relations with some opponents over the last five seasons I thought it appropriate to elaborate a little upon our absence. Competition sits well enough with me but winning is not everything. Taking part is, and I was explaining why we were no longer doing that Mr.Murney. Finally, I did not accuse you of ‘poaching’ players. We have had that conversation before and you clarified the reason why so many players from other groups have joined your teams. Good luck to them.
We at the Nash Amblers felt a more expansive word on our departure from the Over 60’s league is necessary, after the perfunctory terms in which our leaving the Over 60’s league was explained.
The Nash Amblers were founder members of this league and managed to finish in second place in our first three seasons. No mean achievement. We have enjoyed playing most of the teams we have been up against and many of our players will miss the monthly involvement at Over 60’s level.
Unfortunately time has moved on for too many of our players who now qualify for the Over 65’s league, and the Over 70’s set up. These will be playing with our closely associated partner group, Denton’s Tameside Striders in the upcoming season.
Nash Amblers and Denton Walking Football only select Heywood players for the G.M.W.F.league from within our own groups who play weekly with us at Denton, or Curzon Ashton. We do not look beyond our own regulars nor seek, or invite players from other ‘clubs’ or groups to join us. If we are short of numbers or talent then we resign ourselves to the ‘it’s the taking part that counts’ ethos.
However, though we have grown slowly in numbers over the years, the simple truth is that players aged 60-65 have become quite scarce in our set up. This is the only reason we have decided to withdraw from the Over 60’s league.
We wish old opponents, those who are taking our place, league administrators and Referees a successful, enjoyable season of walking football at Heywood.
Really looking forward to getting going again in the GMWFL. Looks like it’s going to be very competitive again, good luck to all the teams old & new who are playing this season.
Mick T, Manchester Corinthians