GMWFL Over 75s Cup Tournament 2023
This was the second annual tournament for the GMWFL aging walking footballers. Last year it was an over 74’s tournament featuring four teams, Blackpool FC Senior Seasiders, Bury Relics, Preston North End Senior Whites and Rochdale WFC. Bury Relics were unable to field a team but Manchester Citizens made up the four for this years competition. Rochdale WFC were now renamed back to their more familiar Rochdale AFC Strollers and the Seasiders had dropped the FC in their name.
It was decided that teams could field one player over 70, a goal keeper over 65 and ladies over 60, although no ladies took part. The tournament was played on 6th July and was a round robin event with all teams having three twenty minute fixtures. Only three goals were scored in the six fixtures, one of them a penalty.
Although naturally all teams wanted to win, the real winners were the players themselves. A few octogenarians took part and were by no means out of place. Having not played competitively for over two years, I personally was found wanting by the pace of the game, especially in the first fixture. Like all who take part in walking football nowadays, if somebody had said when we were in our twenties, that you would still be playing football at 75+, they would have been sectioned.
The fitness of these aging players was amazing and all credit to them to be still involved in competitive football despite their advancing years. This relatively new sport must have saved the NHS millions in treatments due to the new found fitness of those partaking.
A special mention must be made to the five goalkeepers who played, their agility and shot saving was to be admired. Well done to Barry George, Dave Gillibrand, John Hudson, Steve Hyde and Alan Thompson.
Blackpool Senior Seasiders and Rochdale AFC Strollers topped the table with the same points and goal difference. It was decided that no penalty shoot out would decide the winners but both teams would share the two trophies.
The question was once again asked, would the GMWFL be holding a league for the over 75s in the future. This depends on demand and pitch availability but it is a realistic option. The general trend in the league is that more teams are enrolling in the later age categories and fewer in the early age categories, probably due to many still working.
Thanks to our excellent referees Matt Howells and Mike Willmore who officiated on the day.
Blackpool Senior Seasiders & Rochdale AFC Strollers Joint Winners GMWFL Over 75s Cup Tournament 2023
Manchester Citizens GMWFL Over 75s Cup Tournament 2023
Preston North End Senior Whites GMWFL Over 75s Cup Tournament 2023
Comments welcome below.
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I will echo all the comments made so far.
It was an honour and a privilege to play with all these elder statesmen who certainly kept all the goalkeepers on their toes. We have mostly played together now for nearly 8 years and great friendships have been developed. Well done to the organisers – Bill, Paul, Steve – long may this jewel in the crown of Walking Football continue.
The 75’s league is not far off coming. Pure Walking Football at it’s best.
A really enjoyable tournament, with excellent referreeing. Amicable but competitive. Let’s hope the over 75 league can get off the ground. Thanks to Bill Murney and organising committee for making it happen and special thanks to Bill for helping us out on the pitch.
Richard Wilkinson, Preston North End Seniors WFC.
Bill is absolutely right [there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write!] – everyone who played in this competition was a winner. The football was excellent. Well organised and refereed as always; I hope I eventually get to play in this tournament too.
Absolutely outstanding mini tournament, and some wonderful football played by these old fellas.
Well done to all who took part, especially the managers😉
Over 75’s…..? It’s the future! Bring on the next one 😀
Steve Colesby, Rochdale AFC WFC
Great event, great players, great goalkeepers, great referees, great people who put this event on for the young players at heart, I mean over 75s.
A great little tournament, excellent facilities and of course terrific organisation. Good spirit among all players in our advancing years. Pleasure to take part. Thanks again Blackpool Over 75 Senior Seasiders.
It was a great occasion with great camaraderie between all teams. We only had Matt as a referee and collectively, as a team, we thought he was absolutely excellent. Unlike some refs, he displayed a high level of common sense when in charge of 12 seriously old opinionated gits in their equivalent of The World Cup Final.
Les Turner. Chairman Blackpool Senior Seasiders
Absolutely brilliant, well done to all who took part and thanks to the usual people who organised the event.