Manchester Walking Football October 2025

Reporter: Kevin Williams

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

Over 70s Report

Goals were even harder to come by than usual on Wednesday, in the 70’s 1st Division fixtures. Every game featured at least one team who failed to find the net, with four ending goalless entirely. Credit must go to the goalkeepers of course, and the defences who will be pleased to see statistics like these!

Manchester Corinthians 7 point lead was almost wiped out by the chasing Bury Relics team, who helped themselves enormously by pipping the league leaders 1-0, in the key clash of the day. Relics obviously had to back that result up in their other fixtures and will have been very happy to rack up 10 points in total.

Elsewhere, Rochdale AFC Strollers fate was almost sealed when they failed to find the net all morning, claiming just a couple of points. Winstanley Walkers and Tameside Striders Blues enjoyed reasonable days and one of them looks likely to join the Rochdale side in Division 2 next year.

Today also saw us welcome David Fielding, a colleague of our very own Garry Pearce. David officiated for the first time in our league, and we extend a warm welcome to him.

Over 60s Report

Nowhere in the GMWFL is the increase in skill, determination and ferocity more prevalent than in the 1st Division of the Over 60’s Age Group. All good stuff, but with that good stuff comes the higher risk of injuries through increased contact and faster play. Let’s hope the scales remain balanced on just the right side of that tipping point.

It was pretty much ‘how you were’ at the top of the table, with Blackpool Senior Seasiders still five points clear of Winstanley Walkers and Bolton Wanderers. From this trio should emerge the 2025 Champions, as Fleetwood Town Flyers, Wakefield Wanderers and Burnley Clarets trail by a good margin after today’s results.

Manchester Old Boys were heading for an unbeaten day out, courtesy of some stout defending at times; however a cruel last gasp goal in their finale against Burnley Clarets took some of the shine off things. In fairness to the Clarets though, it was quite a goal!

The points gained today however, keep fellow Mancunians Corinthians at arm’s length – for now. Bury Relics Whites still have a glimmer of hope in their battle to avoid the drop into Division Two, but the light at the end of the tunnel may have gone out for Panthers.

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

Over 70s Report

Burnley Clarets failure to find the net more often wasn’t helped by the Clarets being four players short yesterday at the Heywood Sports Village. They’ll be hoping for at least a couple of returning faces and a change of luck in front of goal.

They, and most of the others, won’t have been too happy to see Blackpool Senior Seasiders custodian Steve Hyde between the sticks either, but Moston Brook FC somehow managed to find a way past one of the best keepers around.

The ‘pool still managed 5 points on the day to stay in contention for the Runners Up spot alongside their only conquerors on the day. The aforementioned Burnley Clarets, and near neighbours Preston North End Senior Whites are still very much in with a shout for minor honours too. With two rounds to go, it’s all to play for.

Over 60s Report

Salcom enjoyed a tremendous day today, in the Over 60’s 2nd Division, winning four of five games in a tough competition, and drawing the other. Those performances placed the Salford outfit firmly on leaders Bolton Arena’s shoulders, just a point behind.

One of those victories came against Ribble Valley WFC, who otherwise collected a very useful tally points wise, mainly through three wins. Wakefield Wanderers Whites remain in contention despite slipping a little today, by their normal standards. A 1-0 defeat at the hands of Rochdale AFC Strollers their only reverse.

The top four have now broken away from Moston Brook FC and Bury Relics Blues, who themselves have a tidy cushion from the Strollers and Preston North End Senior Whites. The Clarets Casuals still seek their first win of the season, but it was a joyful occasion for bottom side Rochdale AFC Striders, who secured their first victory this term courtesy of a John Bauld strike. All the more remarkable as he had only recently celebrated his 60th birthday and was playing league football for the first time, despite training with the Dale for many years throughout his 50’s.

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

Over 70s Report

It was a very good day indeed for Rochdale AFC Striders, and particularly veteran – well, OK they’re ALL technically veterans, Terry Williams yesterday, on a very pleasant October morning. The Dale striker notched two goals, sealing crucial victories with both of them, and coupled with four clean sheets saw his side jump onto the coat tails of leaders Ribble Valley WFC.

However, Panthers still represent the biggest threat to the Champions elect, they too finishing with no goals conceded on the day.

With two rounds of games still to negotiate, this could go down to the wire, although Bolton Arena and Tameside Striders Greens will be more concerned about avoiding the wooden spoon.

Over 65s Report

Wakefield Wanderers suffered only their second defeat of an otherwise impressive season, falling to a single goal against Winstanley Walkers, a big feather in their caps! Otherwise it was business as usual as the Yorkshiremen steamrollered their way through the day, to go a massive 21 points clear in the 65’s Division 1.

Preston North End Senior Whites and Manchester Corinthians Reds lead the chasing pack, the latter named grateful to Kevin Mooney for an unstoppable strike to pip Rochdale AFC Strollers in their clash. Winstanley Walkers defence was unbreached all day, impressively, and that 7-point haul keeps them up with Bury Relics in the battle for the runners up spot.

There’s a separate league forming quietly underneath the aforementioned clubs, with everyone desperately keen to avoid the drop. With [from the bottom upwards] Panthers, Manchester Corinthians Whites, Blackpool Senior Seasiders, Bolton Arena and Rochdale AFC Strollers just 6 points apart. Goals were a little hard to come by for these guys today, just two or three at the right time in November could make all the difference!

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

Over 75s Report

There was a dearth of goals in the seniors division yesterday, but no shortage of effort, commitment and will to win. With that of course, comes the occasional running and contact issues, but fair play to these gentlemen, they’ve still got what it takes to make a game of it. My esteemed refereeing colleague Mr Saint and I can vouch for that!

That there were precious few successful scoring attempts is down to the good defending of course, and the quite outstanding goalkeepers that walking football seems to have an abundance of, in every age group.

Rochdale AFC Strollers scored one of the days two goals, and crept into second place by virtue of a win against rivals Tameside, but Bury Relics still hold sway with a useful 8 point lead with 6 games remaining. Oddly enough, the Relics sole goal [and victory] came against the Dale, whilst The Invincibles will be happy enough with 3 clean sheets.

Over 65s Report

Burnley Clarets Player/Manager Jim Bowden wasn’t overjoyed when his side lost to Salcom today, but soon perked up as they recovered their composure to collect 7 of the remaining 9 points, keeping three clean sheets; regular marksmen Ron Peden and Paul Sunter again coming up trumps. Burnley Clarets lead the division heading into the closing two rounds of the campaign. Because of the dates that Christmas falls on this year, one of those rounds will take place next week.

The Wakefield Strollers versus Wigan Walkers encounter was a real humdinger, with the Yorkshire side seemingly comfortable sitting on a two goal lead around the 8 minute mark. However, Wigan Walkers had other ideas and stormed back to level things up before Wakefield Strollers forward Kim Wass completed a marvellous hat-trick in the dying moments. A great game to watch, referee, and I’m sure play in whichever team you were with!

Speaking of ‘marvellous’ there was a rare goal for Wakefield’s very own Niall O’Donnell today, and no matter who you support, it’s great news when one of the most popular guys in walking football is still producing the goods, well done Niall!

A very strong Curzon Ashton FC outfit had a mixed day really, whilst picking up a couple of wins, they went down in the other two, including a minor surprise at the hands of Rochdale AFC Striders. The Dale’s relatively new management team of Steve Ashton and Mick Tarpey are making tangible progress, as their rise into mid table shows.

All of the other teams registered a variety of points today, with realistically a fight to avoid the wooden spoon resting between Wigan Walkers and Tameside Striders Whites, the others are playing for pride as Curzon Ashton FC and Ribble Valley WFC try to haul back Burnley Clarets, in just 9 games.

Week 5 – Over 75s Division 1 & Over 65s Division 2

Both these fixtures replaced the December session which was scheduled to play on 25th December [Ed]

Over 75s Report

There appeared to be 12 duck eggs in a row on Wednesday at Heywood, as defences and those goalkeepers again, ensure that not a single goal was scored in the entire day’s programme. This wasn’t due to a lack of trying mind you, as Dave Roe of Rochdale AFC Strollers found to his cost when he saw a good shot rebound off the Tameside Striders post, hit the keeper, and deflect back from the same upright into the grateful custodian’s gloves! I don’t think Dave bothered buying a Lottery ticket yesterday.

There was more evidence of great sportsmanship again yesterday when the Rochdale side suffered a late cry off. Those great lads from Bury Relics found they could spare a man, and duly offered him to their friends and rivals to help out. Fortunately, he wasn’t needed, but what a marvellous gesture. Now if only they were as generous when defending, we might have seen a goal or two!

Over 65s Report

Burnley Clarets domination of this division has been based on a rock solid defence, and today saw them complete another set of clean sheets as they opened up a near impregnable 9 point lead at the top of the table. That’s not to ignore the invaluable contribution made by the rest of the squad, they don’t have the best goal difference by some way by accident. But in any format of football, if you ain’t conceding then you ain’t losing, just ask Jim Bowden who is rightly pleased with his team this year.

The final match in today’s programme of games was the last realistic chance for Curzon Ashton FC to keep Burnley Clarets within reach; a very intense affair was settled by a penalty 7 minutes from time, a 6 pointer if ever there was one. Wakefield Strollers will now battle it out with the East Manchester club, Ribble Valley WFC, and Manchester Citizens for a top three place and promotion.

The bottom five are playing for pride now, with the wooden spoon to be decided between Tameside Striders Whites, Wigan Walkers, Salcom, Rochdale AFC Striders and Moston Brook FC, who would all like to finish in sixth place and November’s finale should be an interesting one.

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