2024 was the ninth year since the GMWFL was established in 2016. The league continues to grow and attracts teams from far and wide. This year we had 61 teams involved. The league’s history From 2016 can be found HERE.

Honours were fairly evenly distributed amongst our member teams, although Winstanley Walkers did well, collecting 3 winners trophies in 3 age categories in the Spring League. Then adding another 2 in the Autumn League.

Wakefield Wanderers, and their Wakefield Whites team, continue to add trophies to their cabinet. A credit to the GMWFL, they always play walking football in the correct manner, and rarely pick up any cards for offences. Long term members, Bury Relics and Manchester Corinthians continued to do well in the various age categories.

We started an over 75s league in the Summer, the first FA affiliated walking football league in the country. We were the first for the over 60s and over 70s, missing out on the over 65s by a few months. Rochdale AFC Strollers won the over 75s league, with 6 teams competing.

Sadly, we lost a few players during 2024, not surprising considering the advanced ages of participants. In the final session, we had a medical emergency to a Bury Relics player, but thanks to the brilliant staff at the HSV and the NHS paramedics, hopefully he will see a good outcome.

Thanks must go to our excellent group of referees, who arguably must be the best group in any of the countries leagues. Obviously, they don’t always get it right, neither do the players for that matter. All our referees attended the FA Walking Football Referees course at the Lancashire FA.

Also thanks to my fellow committee members, Paul Gardner, Steve Colesby, Garry Pearce and Kevin Williams for all their hard work, which makes the GMWFL arguably the best in the country.

The league representatives teams had another great year, the over 65s gaining runners up spot, and the over 70s retaining their WFLA Inter League Cup title for the third consecutive year at the Redditch Utd FC ground in May. We also travelled to the Isle of Man for the annual trip to play their much improved National sides, winning 3, drawing 4 and losing 1.

Now we are in 2025 and the standard of walking football improves year on year. A survey was emailed in November 2024 requesting clubs views on combining the present four divisions of the 60s and 65s into two divisions of 10 teams. Most were in favour of this change, but obviously it needed to go to a vote at the January AGM. This proposal was passed, and with the pitches now booked until 13:30, it meant that playing time was as before, with teams having increased playing time in certain months.

The over 70s will still play on the 1st to 3rd month on a Wednesday, and the 4th Wednesday will now be occupied by the over 75s league.

Our representative teams hope to entertain the Isle of Man National sides this year, as well as being part of a new possible Northern League for league representative teams.

Finally, we welcome Bob Hartley to the GMWFL committee. Bob, who is currently Assistant Treasurer at the Rochdale WFC, will be assisting Steve Colesby, and also getting to grips with referee allocation on fixture dates.

Let’s hope 2025 is a healthy new year for all taking part in the GMWFL.

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