Manchester Walking Football June 2024

All Reports By Kevin Williams

Week 1 – Over 70s Division 1 & Over 60s Divisions 1 & 2

Over 70s Report

Manchester Corinthians made a winning start in their ultimately successful bid to retain the 1st Division title at a wet and windy HSV on Wednesday, beating Rochdale in a controversial opening match. With a very experienced side out on the pitch, they then proceeded to show some astute game management to keep a further 3 clean sheets and their unbeaten record for the season. Well done to everyone involved.

Bury Relics did their level best to catch up, also avoiding a breach of their goals, and bagging 8 points as they claimed the runners up spot.

None of the remaining pack, except Blackpool Senior Seasiders, could register a win on the day, which seemed to sum up their season. However, the biggest disappointment came when Blackpool’s Steve Hyde suffered a nasty arm injury and left the centre in a sling, facing quite some time on the sidelines. I’m sure everyone at the GMWFL wishes you a speedy recovery Steve, and we hope to see you back soon at Heywood.

Over 60s Report

You won’t find a much nicer bunch of lads than at Bury Relics, so it gave me no pleasure at all on Thursday to hear that my prediction they might get relegated became fact. I’ve been there too many times before myself! But I also know that there is life in the lower divisions, and Bury will surely be competing to return to Division 1 next Autumn.

Another very popular club were at the opposite end of the table, and not for the first time. Paul Gardner mentioned Wakefield Wanderers’ ability to stay at or near the top of proceedings over the years, and it’s testament to their powers of regeneration that they bag silverware on a regular basis at all age groups and levels.

Once again the Yorkshire side [West Yorkshire, I remembered!] showed the way, surging clear by 6 points in one of the most competitive leagues in the country. The huge round of applause they received at the post match presentation was well deserved.

The quality of the chasing clubs needs no advertising. Bolton Wanderers Blues, Fleetwood Town Flyers and Kingsmaid would probably win the majority of other competitions they enter, which says so much about this league, and especially Wakefield Wanderers!

In Division 2 three clubs went into the final day with very real chances of winning the title, two points separating Panthers WFC, Blackpool Senior Seasiders and Rochdale AFC Strollers in that order. It went down to the wire, despite Blackpool suffering an opening game defeat at the hands of Manchester Corinthians. The Panthers couldn’t do more than draw against the same opposition and that opened a gap for Rochdale, but unfortunately for the Lancashire club they failed to grab the opportunity, drawing their first 3 games 0-0.

Corinthians had a great day bagging 8 points, and although Preston North End Senior Whites played really well they continued to drop points, their season in a nutshell. With Panthers failing to put the title battle to bed, all eyes were on the final game between Rochdale and Blackpool. A win for the former gave them the runners up spot; for the latter the Championship.

In an almost completely one-sided event, the Seasiders dominated the game and deservedly took the plaudits. It’s probably the best I’ve seen them play this season, which is some achievement. They’ll hold their own with the big boys, no doubt. It was tough on the Panthers who were up there all season, but they’ll approach next season with justified confidence.

Week 2 – Over 70s Division 2 & Over 60s Divisions 3 & 4

Over 70s Report

Burnley Clarets attempt at emulating the Arsenal Invincibles of a few years back came to fruition on Wednesday, when they completed the full season unbeaten, and with 16 clean sheets to boot. When you add this to a similarly unbeaten run during last term, you can see why the Clarets are looking for a new trophy cabinet.

The quality of this Division is clear to see, when you notice that the champions drew 11 of those games, obviously winning five; they actually won LESS games than runners up Salcom, but relied heavily on their defensive strength throughout the team, the best teams defend from the front it would seem. Congratulations to all at Burnley Clarets, and my personal thanks to John Walton for his input to my report content over the season.

Rochdale AFC Striders seemed to have given themselves a chance of escaping the drop when they took four points from their opening two games. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, as they couldn’t back it up and can now look forward to paddling in slightly calmer waters in September.

Salcom will fancy their chances of following Burnley Clarets into Division 1 next season, and it’s far from impossible for Preston North End Senior Whites and Bolton Arena to make a fight of it given that only five points separated the middle three at the final whistle.

Over 60s Report

It was Groundhog Day for Rochdale AFC Striders in Division 3, who ended a miserable season without a win, and just four points to show for their efforts this term. I’ve watched them all season, and it’s not for the lack of effort, but Division 4 beckons for the Dale, making it two relegations in two days.

Winstanley Walkers marched on relentlessly garnering a remarkable total of 42 points from 16 games. I’ve watched them an awful lot this season too, and they will have no fear stepping up a level or two. A big well done to the Wiganers; without doubt no pie eaters in this team!

In another Division, in another season, the 25 points won by both Bolton Wanderers Whites and Moston Brook FC might have won the league, but the former had to settle for runners up. With both teams gaining 25 points and the same goal difference, it went to a penalty shootout. In a tense few minutes Bolton won the day with a 3-2 win. Burnley Clarets ended the season comfortably clear of Rochdale, but will be looking to do better next season.

In this whirlwind of Division 4, another unbeaten record saw Bury Relics Blues edge out Ribble Valley WFC by just two points. Well done to the cracking bunch of lads at Bury, it was good to see them getting up for a trophy instead of the 6 or 7 raffle prizes they usually win at the post match presentation.

Wakefield Wanderers Whites, Salcom and Bolton Arena can give a nod towards a very healthy points totals for the season. Swap a couple of defeats for draws, or better still wins, and any of the trio could be in business in the Autumn league. Roach Dynamos continued to struggle manfully on, but Chris Reynolds and the lads appear to have a mountain to climb to continue.

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