Manchester Walking Football Season 2025 March Sessions

Reporter: Kevin Williams

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

Over 70s Report

It was a very tight opening to the first day of the new season at Heywood, on a very pleasant day for March, and indeed for Heywood.

With nobody wishing to give any quarter in the opening exchanges, there were six stalemates from the first ten games, resulting in a two point gap between top and bottom.

Winstanley Walkers went through the day unbeaten, beating Bury Relics on the way. Other victories included Manchester Corinthians [again v Bury – sorry lads!], Rochdale AFC Strollers in their final match tussle with Manchester Corinthians and then Bury Relics defeating Rochdale AFC Strollers!

The only other team to go through undefeated were Tameside Striders Blues, who didn’t record a win either, and are still well in the thick of things.

Over 60s Report

The sun really shone on the first day of the new ‘Big League’ – a 10-team division that promised so much on a lovely morning.

The teams didn’t let anyone down either, with some tremendous football played at a fair old pace.

The Fylde coast fills two of the top four places, with Fleetwood Town Flyers top along with Winstanley Walkers on 11 points. Neither team lost which is some achievement in such exalted company.

Third place belongs to seaside neighbours Blackpool Senior Seasiders, who are just above Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers, both on ten.

There is quite a gap then, six points to be accurate, where you’ll find the remaining clubs headed by Manchester Old Boys and Burnley Clarets.

Manchester Corinthians and Panthers both have a game in hand, thanks to the new fixture scheduling, with Wakefield Wanderers and Bury Relics Whites joining them in closing off the group.

Some big games, and some big moments to come before the trophies are handed out in December, something to look forward to indeed!

Feedback: Just to let you know I think the new format is really good, well done. Overall a great day. Mark Davis, Manchester Old Boys.

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

Over 70s Report

Just 4 goals in 10 games for the supporters to cheer [or not, depending on your point of view] on the opening Wednesday of Division 2, in the Over 70s group.

Salcom were the day’s ‘big hitters’ with two of the four goals, and find themselves top of the table, albeit at an early stage.

Blackpool Senior Seasiders are on the coat tails of the leaders, sharing the unbeaten record. Burnley Clarets, Moston Brook FC, and Preston North End Senior Whites fill the bottom three places, but are well within striking distance of the top two.

Over 60s Report

Three teams head affairs in the revamped 2nd Division of the Over 60s age group, with only 2 points separating the entire top half of the table. As expected, things are tight during the early days of the new season, and we will probably have to wait until the half way stage to see the likely challengers for promotion.

Moston Brook FC, Ribble Valley WFC and Bolton Arena set the pace after round 1, their 10 points heading the chasing pack of Wakefield Wanderers Whites, and Rochdale AFC Strollers who reside on 8 points. Ribble Valley WFC, having played only four games under the new fixture schedule, will be particularly happy with their day’s work.

The dearth of goals that haunted the previous day’s football disappeared when the ‘youngsters’ took to the pitch; Moston Brook FC impressively putting 3 past Clarets Casuals, as did Bolton Arena. John Walton and his colleagues will be working on that aspect of their game, you can be certain.

Rochdale AFC Striders also conceded 3 to Moston Brook FC, and share bottom spot with Clarets Casuals.Early signs of a 50/50 split are emerging already, with Salcom, Preston North End Senior Whites and Bury Relics Blues making up the remaining teams, but again the Salford club have a game in hand on those around them.

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

Over 70s Report

Ribble Valley WFC wasted no time shooting to the top of Division 3 on a bright and sunny morning at Heywood yesterday, conceding no goals and firing in eight, including four against Rochdale AFC Striders.

Their only ‘blip’ on the day came against Tameside Striders Greens, but in fairness, these two teams were the only two to carry their shields all through the session. It’s probably too early to predict that the top two will be fighting it out throughout the year, but it’s more than possible.

Below them, Panthers WFC enjoyed a victory to sit dead centre of the table; bottom of the table Bolton Arena couldn’t manage a goal, sadly, and it was Rochdale’s only score of the day against them that kept the Dale off the foot of the table.

Over 65s Report

Another beautiful day in Heywood and a very busy day at that; every team seemed to bring support and the atmosphere was pretty good as the 65’s kicked off their new format league.

Every team drew at least one game, with Bury Relics, Bolton Arena and Rochdale AFC Strollers claiming three each, whilst Blackpool Senior Seasiders racked up four from five games, which went some way to leaving them the only unbeaten side on the day.

Wakefield Wanderers are well used to sitting at the top of the pile so will be comfortable enough, but Preston North End Senior Whites put a first game setback against Rochdale AFC Strollers behind them to collect 8 points, in all honesty they can count themselves unlucky to have lost the opener.

Manchester Corinthians Reds have a strong side out and will be looking to improve on their points haul in April, although they sit nicely just behind the leading pack, as do the Seasiders. Manchester Corinthians Whites are better than their league position suggests; Winstanley Walkers and Panthers WFC are well within range but will be looking to kick on themselves.

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

Over 75s Report

Tameside Striders hold a clear and well deserved lead at the top of the initial table, but the big talking point surely has to be the level of athleticism and football awareness that these chaps still possess.

75 plus years of age and still as competitive as you like; good goals, good goalkeeping, and some excellent passes were on show. Also, some complaining to the referee which sealed the deal, some things will never change!

Rochdale AFC Strollers prop up the league for now, with Bury Relics and The Invincibles sat mid-table, but there’s a very long way to go.

Over 65s Report

It’s indicative of such a tight division that Salcom and Ribble Valley WFC’s 9 point hauls see them top of the opening day’s standings, but only 6 points clear of the bottom two, Rochdale AFC Striders and Tameside Striders Whites.

Although winless on the day, Curzon Ashton FC made their bow in the GMWFL and it was great to see some old friends in their ranks. Yes, it’s good to see Dave Hunter and Stewart White back at the HSV [Ed]. They did however pick up four draws and will be encouraged by that.

Burnley Clarets were a bit unsettled by a disputed goal in their tussle with Wigan Walkers, but as we all know, these things usually even themselves out over the season, and this is a long season by normal GMWFL standards. The Clarets composed themselves sufficiently to record a good win in their final game of the day, 2-1 against Manchester Citizens.

That club, and the boys of Moston Brook FC acquitted themselves well too, and sit just off the top. Wigan Walkers were one of those clubs playing just the four fixtures today, along with Wakefield Strollers.

There’s no doubt that there will be a lot of chopping and changing before this campaign is out, stay tuned!

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