Manchester Walking Football December 2025

Reporter: Kevin Williams

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

Over 70s Report

It was always going down to the wire on the final day in the top Division of the Over 70’s league. Bury Relics led by just a single point after the November round of games, but the anticipated tight finish never materialised once the leaders saw off the Manchester Corinthians challenge in the second game of the morning, winning 2-0.

The Bury lads finished the season in cracking style, winning all four games whilst conceding none; congratulations go to the Lancashire club, with a win that was fully deserved. Manchester Corinthians still finished well clear of third placed Tameside Striders Blues, despite a 1-0 setback in their fixture, the East Manchester club pipping Winstanley Walkers to third place. Rochdale AFC Strollers disappointing season ended with just the single point.

Over 60s Report

You couldn’t have scripted a much more dramatic finish to a high quality season if you’d tried, as the clock wound down on the 1st Division of the Over 60’s age group.

The final game of a long campaign kicked off at 1pm, with Blackpool Senior Seasiders needing a win in their closing match against a good Burnley Clarets side. They got the perfect start taking a very early lead. That lead lasted until the dying moments of the game, when Burnley Clarets conjured up an equaliser to break the Seasiders hearts, leaving them one point short and with Winstanley Walkers cock-a-hoop on the sidelines.

Many congratulations to the Wigan club, and commiserations indeed to Blackpool Senior Seasiders who were up there throughout, a brilliant season for both of them! Bolton Wanderers and Wakefield Wanderers finished the season strongly, and will be a threat next season.

At the lower end of the table, Manchester Corinthians needed to pull something out of the fire to avoid relegation, and whilst they put up a good show a defeat at the hands of Wakefield Wanderers sealed their fate. They join Bury Relics Whites and Panthers WFC in the second tier in 2026. Burnley Clarets, Manchester Old Boys and Fleetwood Town Flyers all enjoyed solid seasons in a competitive division, and will know what it takes to survive again next time around.

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

Over 70s Report

There were no bets being taken on the outcome of this Division 2, as Salcom looked to maintain their 9 point lead going into the final day. This they did with the minimum of fuss, with four goalless draws sealing the deal. Many congratulations to the Salford outfit, who recorded just the single loss throughout the year, a magnificent achievement at any level of football.

It was down to the wire below them, as runners up Moston Brook FC survived a late defeat at the hands of Burnley Clarets, who therefore survived the drop, and they had ice cool Keith Harvey to thank. He came off the bench to take a penalty and secured his club another year in Division 2.

The only other goal scored on the day went to Blackpool Senior Seasiders, but their 1-0 win over near rivals Preston North End Senior Whites wasn’t enough to save either club from relegation. Tough luck on both teams, but next year is a brand new start!

Over 60s Report

Salcom followed up yesterday’s Over 70’s triumph with a remarkable run today, initially by beating Bolton Arena in the opening fixture, but then by making the very most of their game in hand to secure the over 60’s Division 2 Championship by fully five points. Just three defeats from 36 in such a tough competition as this is some record; congratulations again to the Salford club, an excellent achievement indeed.

Bolton Arena weren’t going to concede too easily though, even if things weren’t going to plan right from the off; trailing Rochdale AFC Strollers by two goals in their next game, they showed their mettle by scoring twice in the dying minutes to secure a point. Unfortunately for them that wasn’t enough to claw back their newly discovered deficit.

Ribble Valley WFC will join the above named teams in the top Division next season, their similarly impressive tally of just three defeats should hold them in good stead. Wakefield Wanderers Whites had a good day too, three wins from four is no mean feat. The Yorkshiremen will be amongst the front runners in March for sure, as will Moston Brook FC.

It’s the bottom half of the table that really showcases the strength of this division, in fact the entire league, when you consider that the two Rochdale teams, Preston North End Senior Whites, Bury Relics Blues and Clarets Casuals, are all hard to beat sides who can play some good stuff at times. The best of them trailed the Champions Salcom by 31 points! Strength in depth, I think they call it.

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

Over 70s Report

Ribble Valley WFC had little trouble keeping Panthers WFC at arms length yesterday, extending their lead to 6 points at the end. The key fixture featuring the top two started the day, and a goalless draw suited the Champions elect down to the ground.

Bolton Arena had a pretty miserable day, failing to find the net at all and conceding a bizarre own goal from the touchline against Tameside Striders Greens did nothing to improve poor old Dave Mort’s demeanour, I had every sympathy for him! Rochdale AFC Striders were boosted by an early win, and their five point haul gave them a place in the dead centre of the table.

Well played the Ribble Valley lads, well done Panthers. in fact a big round of applause to everyone for keeping at it!

Over 65s Report

The Wakefield Wanderers juggernaut kept on rolling today at a dank and eventually wet HSV. There was no stopping the Yorkshiremen in their relentless charge and it’s surely fair to say that everyone at the GMWFL takes their hats off to them for producing a superb season.

Their playing record this season is available on the League website as anyone reading this will know, but it’s well worth repeating here. Wakefield Wanderers Played 36 Won 25 Drawn 9 Lost 2 GD 42 Points 84 – wow! Congratulations to everyone at that outstanding club.

There was a battle royal going on behind them too, and in the end Winstanley Walkers clung onto their advantage by their fingertips; they clinched the Runners Up award by virtue of a goal difference of just 4 more than Manchester Corinthians Reds.

It was always going to be close behind the leading group and the six points separating Bury Relics, Bolton Arena, Preston North End Senior Whites and Blackpool Senior Seasiders reflected a tough, hard fought campaign by everyone. Rochdales AFC Strollers fight against relegation fizzled out despite two very good early performances, and they joined Manchester Corinthians Whites and Panthers WFC in the drop zone.

This season was another great example of walking football played at a consistently high level, everyone deserves a pat on the back. None more so than the referees and the committee members without whom our days would be nothing as enjoyable as they are. A big thank you to each and every one of them.

Signing off now, until March, and wishing everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all of the kind comments about these reports, any contributions are always welcome in 2026.

Comments welcome below.

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