Manchester Walking Football May 2026

Reporter: Kevin Williams

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

Over 70s Report

Everyone seems to be taking points off each other in the 1st Division of the Over 70’s section. All 5 teams have been beaten at least once; leaders Tameside Striders Blues on two occasions, bottom club Salcom three times.

This situation arises because the latter named have drawn nine of their 12 games, quite some record! A couple of wins can make all the difference though, as there are 11 points between the sides.
Bury Relics, Moston Brook FC and Winstanley Walkers are all nicely poised in the middle of this division, but can one of them string a few victories together before the East Manchester side disappear over the horizon?

Over 60s Report

It was fast and frantic at times during today’s Over 60’s Division 1 session at a very pleasant Heywood Sports Village. Bolton Arena remain the only unbeaten side after 14 games, and sit 9 points clear of Fleetwood Town Flyers, with a vastly superior goal difference. The Fishermen were the only team to take a point off the leaders today.

Despite starting well and moving above Blackpool Senior Seasiders after a close run 1-0 victory early doors, the Bolton Arena Blues team seemed to lose their way suffering 5-1 and 3-0 defeats in the last two games. I’m sure they’ll be back meaning business in June.

Only five points separate Wakefield Wanderers, Winstanley Walkers, Manchester Old Boys and Burnley Clarets in the mid table slots. These positions are reflected in so many games between the teams; close with rarely anything to choose between them.

It’s far too soon to suggest that the relegation battle will be decided by Ribble Valley WFC, Salcom, Bolton Arena Blues and Blackpool Senior Seasiders, but they’ll be looking to pick up points sooner rather than later!

With the GMWFL celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year, and raising funds for Rochdale’s Springhill Hospice, the Ribble Valley WFC players donated their £50 match fees to the charity, also a bottle of whisky and a bottle of wine for the raffle on 13th June. Thanks lads, a great gesture. [Ed].

Week 2 – Over 75s Division 1, Over 70s Division 2 & Over 60s Division 2

Over 75s Report

Rochdale AFC Strollers started poorly but ended on a high with two victories and a draw following an early defeat. Those results enabled them to leapfrog Blackpool Senior Seasiders, on goal difference, to leave Steve Hyde’s team propping up the table, probably not for long though!

Tameside Striders look strong, although one look at the ‘draws’ column in the table will show that so many of these games end up all square, and if Bury Relics or Ribble Valley Invincibles can string together a couple of wins, the league leaders might have a fight on their hands.

Over 70s Report

There was a lovely gesture by the Burnley Clarets squad, when they donated their match subs to the Springhill Hospice Charity Appeal, which is the preferred recipient of the GMWFL’s 10 year anniversary celebration. Well done and a big thank you to the Lancashire club, who have done the league proud since they first kicked a ball at Heywood. On the pitch, they’ll be hoping to be a little less generous for their remaining games; they currently prop up the table 8 points behind their nearest opponents.

The other four clubs are closely matched, separated by just the four points. Leading on goal difference are Blackpool Senior Seasiders, on 19 points with Rochdale AFC Strollers. Hot on their heels come Ribble Valley WFC and Panthers WFC. With half of the games ending in goalless draws on Wednesday, it’s all about fine margins in the battle to win promotion to the top flight.

Over 60s Report

Rochdale AFC Striders celebrated their move into second from bottom place after their first win of the season against luckless North Manchester WFC, whilst their counterparts the Strollers moved DOWN a place, mainly due to a fine performance by big rivals [and friends] Moston Brook FC. The Green and Blacks won 2-0, and according to the Dale lads they were well worth the points. The Brook duly took over the leadership, remaining unbeaten so far this season.

Manchester Corinthians and Bury Relics Whites sit third and fourth, five points behind second place but with a potentially crucial game in hand. Wakefield Wanderers Whites were a bit lacking in the goal scoring front, registering 5 goalless draws on the bounce. They’ll be a threat as usual when getting back to full strength, they sit in mid table with Bury Relics Blues.

Panthers WFC and Preston North End Senior Whites complete the picture, with a combined number of 17 draws between them this year, an additional goal here and there would make a real difference.

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

Over 70s Report

Preston North End Senior Whites strode on at the top of Division 3 yesterday, despite being on the receiving end of an upset at the hands of Rochdale AFC Striders, for whom Howard Fisher was making his debut, and marking it too with a well taken goal. We might be hearing a bit more about Mr Fisher in the coming months.

That was North End’s only concession with two victories keeping a healthy 7 point advantage between them and Bolton Arena. Already it looks to be between these old rivals, as Airbus Buccaneers sit a further 7 points behind the latter named. Rochdale AFC Striders and Tameside Striders Greens will ensure that the relegation battle stays a lively affair to the end.

Over 65s Report

It’s a heck of a competitive competition in this division, if you forget about Wakefield Wanderers who seem to be playing with their own ball. The Yorkshire club sit an amazing 19 points clear of the chasing pack, led by Bolton Arena and Manchester Corinthians.

You can only stand and admire a team that wins all five matches in such a tough league, on a warm day in deepest Heywood, and they didn’t have the decency to concede just ONE goal! Tremendous stuff, Niall and the lads.

The bottom three, Bury Relics, Blackpool Senior Seasiders and Preston North End Senior Whites all sit on 12 points and are only five points from mid table Burnley Clarets and Winstanley Walkers, a lot can change in 5 rounds of matches.

Talking of Burnley Clarets, my regular correspondent Jim Bowden was very pleased with his sides wins against Bolton Arena and Preston North End Senior Whites, as was I’m sure Sunny Sunter who netted both winners. As he quite rightly points out, there are ‘very fine margins in a superbly competitive division’. Couldn’t have put it better myself Jim!

Ribble Valley WFC and Curzon Ashton FC complete the picture in an absorbing contest; roll on June.

Week 4 – Over 70s Division 4 & Over 65s Division 2

Over 70s Report

It was a lovely day on Wednesday, only fractionally too warm for veteran’s football, but Heywood aficionados would take it every time. It certainly suited new boys Harrogate Strays who are now hot favourites to secure a championship trophy in their maiden season. Certainly, nobody will begrudge them their success, with four wins from four yesterday.

I had the pleasure of refereeing their top of the table clash with another excellent side, Curzon Ashton FC, and it was a very high standard of Walking Football, believe me. A 1-0 win settled the championship argument once and for all.

The North Yorkshire club have the knack of taking the lead, and then successfully shutting out the opposition with some clever possession play. When you have players sharing the goal scoring duties, Val Wawrosz [3], Tony Breslin [3] and John Rhodes with perhaps the most crucial strike in the above mentioned game, they are a real threat to anyone.

Curzon Ashton FC will join the Strays when they go up next month, and perhaps Fleetwood Town Flyers, Moston Brook FC Greens and Wakefield Wanderers might be permitted a sigh of relief.

Over 65s Report

Panthers WFC stealthily crept up on their opponents on Thursday, and pounced before they knew what had happened with a remarkable four victories from five games run to go top of the table.

Wakefield Strollers had a rough old time by their standards, being deposed for now anyway when taking the full three points from only one of their four games. Bolton Arena Blues had a very strong team out today, their line up threatened plenty of goals and so it was nine in total with a welcome unbeaten run on the day to put them into a very close third.

There’s a bunch of fives huddled together in mid table, with teams taking points off each other throughout the season. However the lowest positioned lies a mere 7 points off third. Wigan Walkers, Moston Brook FC, Salcom and Tameside Striders Whites sandwich Rochdale AFC Strollers, for whom Dave Brooks supplied their only win of the day with a brilliant goal from distance. And yes he did tell me to ‘feel free to mention it!’ Rochdale AFC Striders and Clarets Casuals both toiled in the sun, with very little luck, keep going lads.

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