Manchester Walking Football Season 2025 April Sessions

Reporter: Kevin Williams

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

Over 70s Report

For the second week running we had a beautiful day at Heywood, spoiled only by a cold breeze swirling around the players. This made life difficult for them, but they rose to the challenge really well, none more so than Winstanley Walkers, who recorded two wins and two draws to retain their unbeaten record.

Bury Relics, Tameside Striders Blues, and Manchester Corinthians remain hot on the leaders’ heels, trailing by four points each, all on ten.

The last named must still be wondering how they failed to get anything out of their excellent tussle with Tameside Striders Blues, the East Manchester side defended resolutely against something of an onslaught, but hit three absolute screamers in virtually their only attacks of the game.

Two went in, leaving Manchester Corinthians keeper Ron Blakeley with no chance, and with his standing as an excellent custodian, that doesn’t happen very often to Ronnie. The third hit the angle of post and crossbar so hard it rebounded to Tameside’s half.

Rochdale AFC Strollers were hit hard by late withdrawals through injury, and they will be hoping for some improved fortune next time.

Over 60s Report

The gap I spoke about in last month’s report has developed into something of a two-way split, with four teams forging ahead at the top of the table. Winstanley Walkers FC, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool Senior Seasiders, and Fleetwood Town Flyers keep each other company after another day battling the elements at a windy HSV.

Each captain who won the toss today went with the wind at his back, completely understandably; however, all of the teams appeared to manage the difficult conditions really well, and emerged with credit.

In a league where draws are fairly commonplace, they were hard to find today, with only six games ending in stalemate; the remaining fifteen produced a positive result, one way or the other. Wakefield Wanderers and Manchester Corinthians could see their season go either way in May and June. They sit in between the top and bottom groups; a couple of good months and who knows?

It speaks volumes for the quality of this division when you realise just how good the teams in the bottom quartet are; Bury Relics Whites, Burnley Clarets, Manchester Old Boys and Panthers WFC would do well in a number of other competitions.

It remains to be seen if they can produce the results to match that promise, don’t bet against anyone!

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

Over 70s Report

Last month I reported on the very low number of goals scored in this division. That figure increased to 7 on Wednesday. Although leaders Salcom could only manage to nab one of them. It enabled them to pip Preston North End Senior Whites, and coupled with three excellent clean sheets, maintain their advantage over Blackpool Senior Seasiders, and Moston Brook FC. Both are three points adrift at this stage.

The latter named also enjoyed a good day, with 8 points moving them into contention. Burnley Clarets are not far behind, and have plenty of time to make up lost ground. Preston North End Senior Whites still search for their first win of the campaign.

Over 60s Report

There seems to be a split developing in Division 2 of the 60’s, with the top five separated by just 4 points; Wakefield Wanderers sit top of the pile, with Moston Brook FC bringing up the rear of that group. There’s a point between each of Bolton Arena, Ribble Valley WFC and Salcom, who with sixth placed Preston North End Senior Whites, hold the only unbeaten tags in this section.

Top score of the day belonged to Bolton Arena, who bagged four whilst dismantling Rochdale AFC Strollers; the topsy turvy way of Walking Football showed itself when the Dale pipped Ribble Valley WFC 1-0, somewhat surprisingly given the results that day.

Salcom also notched four against Clarets Casuals, but these results were somewhat out of line with the majority of games, with ten 0-0 draws. Regular contributor John Walton informs me that the Clarets Casuals side has been formed to allow more members of their club to enjoy league football.

They have entered into the 60’s age group to allow everyone the chance to take part, including amazingly, Ron Topping who is 84 years young. John assures me that Ron is fitter than some of his teammates, and I’m sure he is! Keep it going Ron!

Bury Relics Blues will have been happy to pick up a win, albeit against bottom team Rochdale AFC Striders.

Week 3 – Over 70s Division 3 & Over 65s Division 1

Over 70s Report

There was more than a sprinkling of Golden Oldies on show this Wednesday at a rain sodden HSV, to brighten things up.
Ribble Valley WFC have taken this division by the scruff of it’s neck, and retain the only unbeaten record after 8 games; winning three of their four fixtures sent them moving out of reach for the foreseeable future.

Despite propping up the table, Bolton Arena had a good day, beating Rochdale AFC Striders and gaining two draws along the way, to keep them in touch.

The Dale’s evergreen Steve Colesby scored a cracker in the 1-0 win against Panthers WFC, well past his 79th birthday, he’s not looking like stopping anytime soon either.

Tameside Striders Greens look the side most likely to give chase in second place, but may need to beat the leaders twice in the next couple of months to close that 9 point gap.

Over 65s Report

Is it too soon to start engraving Wakefield Wanderers name on the league championship trophy?
The West Yorkshire lads would say it definitely IS too soon, but looking at the table, and having seen them in action at close hand yesterday, I think I’d risk a fiver if it were possible!

They currently sit nine points clear of a cluster of chasing teams – Bury Relics, Preston North End Senior Whites and Winstanley Walkers, having identical playing records at this juncture, all on 13 points and the same goal difference. In fact, there are just six points between the second placed team, and the 10th, which says everything about the quality of this division.

Rochdale AFC Strollers sit a place below their big friends and rivals Manchester Corinthians Reds, who conceded late penalties in two of their games, dropping points from winning positions. Ron the manager might be having something to say about that!

The other Manchester Corinthians side in this league, the Whites, are sandwiched between bottom club Blackpool Senior Seasiders and Bolton Arena. You will see little clues about potential relegation candidates, even this early in the season in other divisions, but not in this one as each month brings new opportunities to put together a decent run of results.

Week 4 – Over 75s Division 1 & Over 65s Division 2

Over 75s Report

The Heywood weather paid due respect to our senior footballers on Wednesday, and with the sun shining the four teams put on a bright display of walking football.

Rochdale AFC Strollers were impressive in their 2-0 victory over Tameside Striders in the opener, but had to take similar treatment at the hands of old rivals Bury Relics in the next game.

Tameside Striders would have been looking forward to carrying on their impressive start to the season, but their single point haul on the day underlined just how close this league will be.

A gap of 9 points between top and bottom is now just 4, with The Invincibles also picking up valuable ground.

It would take a brave man to pick the winner at this stage.

Over 65s Report

Clough and Taylor? Busby and Murphy? Mercer and Allison?

Nah, it’s just Ashton and Tarpey having a crack at the management game with Rochdale AFC Striders; a more than satisfactory start with four goalless draws yesterday, finishing with a point more gleaned than from their first month, and playing a game less.

Salcom and Ribble Valley WFC switched places from last month’s table, with Manchester Citizens maintaining third position. It’s a tight affair all the way with just 8 points separating the ten teams.

These fine margins were reflected in 14 draws being played out from just 21 matches. If someone can string a little run together then they may find some breathing space.

Perhaps that team will be Curzon Ashton FC, with Stewart White cleverly leading a talented team into their maiden league season. Two wins and two draws yesterday gives them a platform to push on. Moston Brook FC, Salcom and Wakefield Strollers remain unbeaten after nine games and will be determined that things stay that way.

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