Manchester Walking Football November 2025

Reporter: Kevin Williams

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

Over 70s Report

Manchester Corinthians reversed last month’s defeat at the hands of title rivals Bury Relics yesterday, winning 2-1, but couldn’t really capitalise on it when falling to Tameside Striders Blues and conceding a last gasp equaliser to Rochdale AFC Strollers.

Bury Relics recovered sufficiently to secure 7 points whilst keeping 3 clean sheets, a feat that sees them head into the final round of games in December just a point ahead of their Manchester rivals, an exciting finish to the season seems guaranteed!

Winstanley Walkers left their shooting boots in Wigan, although 3 goalless draws represents a reasonable return on that basis, and they sit comfortably clear of Rochdale AFC Strollers who will play next year in Division 2.

Over 60s Report

It’s impossible to look beyond Blackpool Senior Seasiders and Winstanley Walkers at the top of the Division 2 table, both clubs dominating this year with just three defeats each; that is some achievement given the quality of the teams below them. Winstanley’s 12 point haul today has increased the pressure on the Seasiders, but if anyone can resist the challenge it is they.

Bolton Wanderers single victory, coupled with three draws finally saw off their challenge, whilst Wakefield Wanderers, Manchester Old Boys and Burnley Clarets can enjoy December’s outing without fear of ‘the drop’.
That unwanted Christmas present will drop through the chimneys of two clubs from three – Fleetwood Town Flyers, Manchester Corinthians or Bury Relics Whites.

Panthers WFC are resigned to their fate – four defeats on the back of a failure to the find the net will see them compete in the lower Division next season.

A footnote to today’s report – I’ve spoken with a number of knowledgeable Walking Football people today, referees, league and club officials, players and supporters, and we all agree that the football today was not just of a high and entertaining standard, but there were great examples of sportsmanship on a number of occasions. Great stuff gentlemen!

The quality of teams in this league is shown by Bolton Arena winning the over 60s FA Walking Football Cup at St Georges Park in Burton upon Trent last weekend. A report on that great win will be published shortly. [Ed]

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

Over 70s Report

It’s pretty much a case of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s now, as Salcom sit fully nine points clear in Division 2 of the Over 70’s. Losing just one of 28 league games is a record that speaks for itself, although not wanting to tempt fate TOO much, I’ll save the congratulations for December.

Only 7 points separate the remaining clubs, but Moston Brook FC would like to point out that the gap is between them and everyone else! An unbeaten day for both sides is a fair reflection of how this league has panned out.

Yet another team enjoyed an unbeaten day, which my Burnley Clarets correspondent John Walton tells me gives them hope of avoiding the drop, and it certainly does. Four clean sheets were achieved by stout defending, and a John Finn penalty save against Champions elect Salcom. Preston North End Senior Whites and Blackpool Senior Seasiders are the other two teams in the relegation melting pot.

Over 60s Report

A very interesting scenario is being acted out in Division 2 of the Over 60s, whereas Bolton Arena sit 3 points above Salcom, with one round remaining. However, the Salford outfit have a game in hand, and enjoy a fractionally superior goal difference.

Ribble ValleyWFC will still harbour hopes of grabbing the runners up spot, although it’s a big ask, with 4 points the deficit, and like Salcom, five games remaining. The Rochdale Derby threw up something of a surprise result, with bottom side Striders deservedly emerging victorious over club rivals Strollers, a tense and often frenetic affair settled by a very early goal.

Obviously, there is no relegation fight taking place in this, the bottom division, but neither Clarets Casuals nor Rochdale AFC Striders will be out of the bottom two places come December. They’ll each be trying to avoid the wooden spoon though. The Clarets were boosted today, when Graham Lord secured their first win in 32 games, testament to their determination indeed!

There’ll be no peaceful end of season strolls for Wakefield Wanderers Whites, Moston Brook FC, Rochdale AFC Strollers, Bury Relics Blues or Preston North End Senior Whites though, as they’ll be involved in the title race battle, willingly or not!

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

Over 70s Report

Rochdale AFC Striders were still, metaphorically speaking, in bed on Wednesday morning, for not just the first but both of their opening fixtures, going 2 down in double quick time, see what I did there? They managed to pick up a couple of points before the day was done, but any lingering hopes of grabbing the Runners Up trophy were dashed before it was time for 40 winks after lunch.

That left Ribble Valley WFC and Panthers WFC still standing to argue the toss in December, the former 4 points clear with just 12 points remaining, a useful lead but not insurmountable. Bolton Arena and Tameside Striders Greens will both be looking to jump into a mid table slot as only five points separate the bottom three.

Over 65s Report

It’s simply a case of Wakefield Wanderers turning up next month to receive the Division One trophy at the presentation, and deservedly so. The Yorkshire club’s record is quite phenomenal [thank goodness for spellchecker] and to achieve what they have in such a high class league is something else.

The bottom of the league looks pretty well decided too, at least for a couple of the places anyway. Panthers WFC and Manchester Corinthians Whites have performed with credit this year but have just fallen a little short.

The focus next month in the final round of games will be on the other SEVEN teams, with second placed Winstanley Walkers just FIVE points clear of Rochdale AFC Strollers in 8th place! Whilst it’s highly unlikely, perhaps even mathematically impossible but my numeracy skills are limited to working out betting slips, that the Wigan club would be relegated, but it’s testimony to the strength of this division that so many good teams are so closely matched.

Added to the intrigue is that there are two teams with the ‘extra’ fixture in next months finale, but with one of them already relegated, Panthers WFC, and the other the aforementioned Winstanley, the seven battling to avoid the drop all have just the four games remaining to make a difference.

Bill and Steve will be double and treble checking their points calculations in December before the dreaded/happy** announcement, but what drama! ** delete as appropriate next month.

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

Over 75s Report

Bury Relics 3 goalless draws were enough to hold off a determined challenge from Rochdale AFC Strollers on the final day of an entertaining season in the over 75’s section.

Only 12 points separated bottom club The Invincibles from the winners after 24 league games, which is testimony to how competitive it was throughout. Tameside Striders 4 point haul on the day secured them 3rd place.

It’s quite astounding that these gentlemen can still get around a football pitch at such an age, and do not look out of place. congratulations to all, and we hope to see you back for more in March!

Over 65s Report

Curzon Ashton FC made an almighty effort to take the Division 2 championship today, with 4 wins and a draw. Sadly for them, Burnley Clarets weren’t about to be denied, remaining unbeaten again on the day. Avoiding losses has proved to be the bedrock of the Lancashire clubs success, with just 3 to their name all season.

When you recall that they lost their first two games back in March, their achievement really comes to life. Congratulations to all at Burnley on a great season, and thanks to my East Lancashire correspondent Jim Bowden who has kept the information flowing in all year.

Commiserations to Curzon Ashton FC, who really did give it a go today. They will join the Champions in the top tier next season, along with 3rd placed Ribble Valley WFC, who edged out Wakefield Strollers by a goal, and Manchester Citizens, a further 2 goals worse off!

Although making up the bottom half of the table, Salcom and Moston Brook FC won a few games between them. Rochdale AFC Striders were disappointed in their performances today having been on a bit of an upward curve, whilst Tameside Striders Whites and Wigan Walkers will feel they can improve on their final placings next time around.

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