Manchester Walking Football October 2024
Manchester Walking Football October 2024
All Reports By Kevin Williams
Week 1 – Over 70s Division 1 & Over 60s Divisions 1 & 2
Over 70s Report

Table Division 1
Burnley Clarets had a terrible preparation for their games at the HSV on Wednesday, when serious traffic problems on the M65 delayed their arrival until shortly before kick off. Indeed, stand in goalkeeper Graham Lord was still putting his kit on shortly before kick off, and until that point he only had 2 teammates with him!
The Lancashire lads managed to fulfill their fixtures however, but it wasn’t a fairytale ending as my regular correspondent win, lose or draw to his credit, John Walton pointed out. A failure to score, and therefore win, a game so far puts the Clarets in a difficult position at the foot of the table. Eight games to go John, it’s not yet impossible!
At the other end of affairs in Division 1, a point separates old rivals Bury Relics and Manchester Corinthians. A crucial 1-0 win to the former making all the difference at the half way stage. Already looking to maintain a points advantage over the bottom club are Tameside Striders Blues and Rochdale AFC Strollers, who shared the points in a tense tussle on Pitch 2.
There aren’t many goals being scored in this tight division, but Burnley Clarets know they will need to change that in November if they’re to stay in the top flight. I wouldn’t write them off just yet. Last, but certainly not least, the best news I heard yesterday, by far, was that Bury Relics man, keen photographer and all round nice guy Keith Hayes has been given the all clear from his cancer troubles, after a worrying time for him and his family. That was lovely to hear, and I’m sure Keith and his colleagues will join me in wishing everyone in a similar position, with any illness, the very same good fortune.
Over 60s Report
Fleetwood Town Flyers conceded for the first time this season in Division 1 today at Heywood, but still picked up a very useful 7 points to stay top of the table, albeit jointly with conquerors Bolton Wanderers Blues. Those two rivals already appear to have cornered the market for the title, sitting 8 points clear of a disappointing Blackpool Senior Seasiders who failed to follow up last months very bright start, registering just two points from a possible twelve today.
The Bolton Wanderers Blues rapid climb to the upper reaches came courtesy of three excellent wins against Kingsmaid, Fleetwood and Blackpool, with a goalless draw in their other fixture completing a day of clean sheets; some achievement in this division. The first named of that trio still sit at the bottom of the pile, an unusual position for them, but I still wouldn’t back against them, or Wakefield Wanderers, goalless today, doing a Houdini.

Tables Divisions 1 & 2
In Division 2 injury hit Rochdale AFC Strollers were on the receiving end of a 5-1 hammering by big rivals Manchester Corinthians today; nothing fell right for the Blues but the sheer number of shots on target by the table toppers made the result a formality, especially Kevin Mooney who was outstanding.
Corinthians dominated all but a couple of minutes of the game and looked set to have an outstanding day, but then somehow contrived to draw their remaining three games, scoring just the one goal; that’s definitely football for you!
Winstanley Walkers had a good enough day to leapfrog last month’s leaders, and indeed shoot four points clear; that fixture is already a six pointer when it comes around in November.
The remaining three sides look set to battle it out to avoid relegation. Rochdale’s win over Panthers WFC was a lifebelt thrown to a drowning man, and that side share third place, or joint second bottom depending on how you view it, with Bury Relics Whites who did well collecting 5 points today. All to play for.
Week 2 – Over 70s Division 2 & Over 60s Divisions 3 & 4
Over 70s Report

Table Division 2
There was a marvellous sporting incident in the opening game in Division 2 of the Over 70s on Wednesday, when I refereed Bolton Arena’s opening match with Winstanley Walkers. One of the Arena lads had a ‘senior moment’ and ambled contentedly into his own penalty area in the first couple of minutes after kick off.
I had to blow my whistle as there was an appeal, which soon subsided as the Wigan lads remembered that ‘we’d all done that at one time or another’. They sportingly accepted the award of a relatively harmless free kick over to the side of the area, and one of the Winstanley lads said to me, ‘we’d never want to win a game in that way’. A great start to a good day’s football.
After that game, which ended all square, the two team’s fortunes drifted somewhat, with Bolton Arena picking up just the two further points, but their opponents seven points to end the day comfortably mid-table.
Elsewhere, Preston North End Senior Whites stayed on top, but suffered their first loss of the season, to Winstanley, whilst Salcom failed to make significant inroads to the league table deficit. Blackpool Senior Seasiders are the only other side, along with Bolton Arena, to fail to register a win so far this season; there’s still time lads!
Over 60s Report
It was fast and furious today in Division 3 at Heywood, where the weather took a turn for the better, and Burnley Clarets will be basking in more than just sunshine after claiming victories in all four league matches, a rare feat in any division, and one which Manager Gary Hitchen believes is a first for the club!
I had the pleasure of officiating two of their games today, and it’s fair to say that they play on the edge all the time; that’s a compliment too, as they know the difference between walking fast and running [most of the time]. As a result, they are a very mobile team and hard to keep tabs on, and to add to the potency, once again they had multiple players on the scoresheet, a very handy asset to have.
Moston Brook FC are the only team who can realistically catch them, even at only half way through the season, and having suffered their only defeat of the term against the Lancashire side today, they will know what they need to do in November, and probably December too, if they’re going to close the gap.
Bolton Wanderers Whites, Preston North End Senior Whites and Bury Relics Blues are embroiled in a three way scrap to avoid relegation already. I for one wouldn’t like to predict who will be unlucky out of those three, although the last named will need to garner some points before they are cast adrift completely next time out.

Tables Divisions 3 & 4
In Division 4 Wakefield Wanderers Whites roll on at the top of the table once again, unbeaten today and with a defence that’s difficult to breach. Bolton Arena did it though, so it can be done, but it remains to be seen if it can happen frequently enough to stop the Yorkshire sides march to Division 3.
Both Ribble Valley WFC and Rochdale AFC Striders prop up the table, but lie only 3 points off mid-table Salcom. The Dale were unbeaten today, which will have pleased them, and along with the Valley have lost only two games so far.
A couple of draws need to be turned into wins before long though, as both teams will attest. Salcom’s fine win over Bolton shows they won’t be easy to catch.
Week 3 – Over 70s Division 3 & Over 65s Divisions 1 & 2
Over 70s Report

Table Division 3
It was something of an endurance feat for players, officials and spectators alike on Wednesday, as some torrential downpours made for a miserable day at Heywood. So what’s new?
Just 5 points separate all 6 teams at the half way stage, and it’s no exaggeration to say that anyone can win this title, snorkels and flippers may help though. The happiest guys on the day will have been Moston Brook FC, who didn’t lose a game and sit on top of the pile, for now, and by courtesy of goal difference.
The Striders of Tameside Greens and Rochdale AFC are perched right behind them, two very late Terry Williams penalties saving the latter’s day. Wigan Walkers FC are finding their feet, although as some of their lads mentioned to me, it takes a bit of time to adapt to new rules; they’re getting there without doubt.
Bottom pair Panthers WFC and Ribble Valley WFC won’t be pressing any panic buttons just yet, ten games represents a lot of points up for grabs.
Over 65s Report
Wakefield Wanderers continue to run away with this Division 1 competition, recording four straight victories on the day to stretch their already impressive lead to 11 points. Anyone who knows anything about the standard of this division will recognise just what an impressive effort that is, although I seriously doubt anyone from West Yorkshire is counting any chickens.
A win and two draws for Manchester Corinthians enabled them to grab second spot, by virtue of goal difference ahead of Bolton Arena, their 1-1 draw suiting the league leaders as the chasing pack held each other back. It wouldn’t be beyond Bury Relics or Preston North End Senior Whites to make a second half of the season charge, but the former really need to start finding the net to do that.

Table Divisions 1 & 2
In Division 2 Rochdale AFC Strollers lost their unbeaten record for this season, at the hands of Blackpool Senior Seasiders; coming on the back of a 3-0 win against old friends and rivals Moston Brook FC, courtesy of an impressive Howard Fisher hat-trick, it typified this season’s fixtures, with everyone capable of both gaining and dropping points.
It looks like a split has developed and both Winstanley Walkers and Blackpool Senior Seasiders are hard on the heels of the Dale, both clubs kept four clean sheets which is no mean feat. On the flip side, both Moston Brook FC and Panthers WFC have failed to register a win so far, but tellingly have drawn a good number of games. If one of these two are destined to go down, it’d be a brave man who puts money on which one.
Week 4 – Over 65s Divisions 3 & 4
Over 65s Report
Burnley Clarets review of their latest performance in Division 3 makes for much happier reading than their previous edition. John Walton reliably informs me that three penalties somewhat made their day in defeating Manchester Citizens and Salcom, whilst enabling them to equalise against Manchester Corinthians Whites in a game of two spot kicks.
Penalties in Walking Football are no gifts, they have to be earned by forcing the opposition into making the mistakes that get tallied up and that, coupled with a ‘rock solid defensive performance’ [Manager Jim Bowden’s quote not mine] gave three time scorer Ron Peden the perfect opportunity to be the man of the day.
None of that, however, prevented Manchester Corinthians Whites from retaining top spot, although Salcom derailed their journey with a commendable 1-0 defeat of the Heywood based side. Manchester Citizens look destined to sit in mid table, but Rochdale AFC Striders need to find their scoring boots at one end, and some clean sheets at the other, to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

Tables Divisions 3 & 4
It’s a two horse race in the bottom division, with Ribble Valley WFC holding Wakefield Strollers at bay by a three point margin at the half way stage.
Hapless Tameside must wonder where their first point is coming from, with three 2-0 defeats on the day, extending their losing streak to six. Credit to them though, for battling on. Wigan are gradually coming to terms with life in the GMWFL, and will surely be more of a threat next season.
Week 5 – Over 65s Divisions 3 & 4
Over 65s Report
It’s only a week since these Division 3 & 4 fixtures were last played of course. With the December edition originally scheduled for Boxing Day this obviously was not practical. Today saw December’s games played and next month Heywood will host the season finale and Presentation Lunch for these two divisions only.
Burnley Clarets picked up 8 points including a somewhat lively 1-0 victory over leaders Manchester Corinthians Whites, but the Manchester club still hold a significant 5 point advantage, along with a very healthy goal difference that was boosted during a 5-1 routing of Rochdale AFC Striders.
Burnley’s revival since picking up just the one point in the opening round of fixtures is testimony to a never say die spirit, and Paul Sunter’s brace against Salcom was the icing on the cake. The Corinthians v Rochdale fixture provided a bitter sweet moment or two for former Corinthian Mick Tarpey, who opened the scoring for his new club, but the Dale ultimately went down, leaving the Striders staring at relegation to Division 4.
With just the four games now remaining, it’s hard to see the top and bottom positions changing, although mathematically Burnley Clarets, Salcom and Manchester Citizens can all still win the division – and also be relegated!

Tables Divisions 3 & 4
The two horse race that I mentioned last week became a little more one way after the latest instalment of the Division 4 story. Whilst Ribble Valley WFC look to be floating serenely on top of the water, they are in fact working hard underneath the surface to see off their rivals.
This is a much more competitive division than it might at first appear, as the Valley lads will attest. I had the pleasure of refereeing all three of their matches on Thursday morning, and as well as the leaders played [which was VERY well], their opponents on each occasion could definitely lay claim to deserving a share of the spoils. So often, games are drawn in this competition, but Ribble have found a way to win even the most equally matched games and that quality is priceless.
Wakefield Strollers needed a win in their tussle with the table toppers but just fell short. Niall and his teammates will know that they have two more bites at the cherry. That said, they still have obstacles in the form of Wigan Walkers FC, and bottom club Tameside Striders Whites, who claimed their first points of the season to make it a two horse race at the foot of the table.
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