Manchester Walking Football September 2024

All Reports By Kevin Williams

Week 1 – Over 70s Division 1 & Over 60s Divisions 1 & 2

Over 70s Report

Promoted Burnley Clarets found the rarefied atmosphere a little TOO thin for their liking, when debuting in the top division of the over 70s age group.

Although they managed to pick up a couple of draws on the day, defeat in their match with Manchester Corinthians ended their outstanding unbeaten run of 33 games – and by virtue of a last minute penalty at that!

My Burnley correspondent, John Goodacre, assures me that the club feel they can compete at this level however, and look forward to the remainder of the season. Good luck guys.

Manchester Corinthians continued where they left off, at the top of the table, and will notice that they picked up two of only 3 wins on the day in this division, Bury Relics claiming the other.

Those scorelines meant that there is already a little gap at the head of affairs, although I’m sure both Tameside Striders Blues, who were unbeaten on the day achieving four draws, and Rochdale AFC Strollers will be striving to close that divide in October.

Over 60s Report

In Division 1, the blustery Heywood weather seemed to suit the seaside boys today, as Fleetwood Town Flyers and Blackpool Senior Seasiders enjoyed very good sessions to occupy the top two places in Division 1 of the over 60s league.

The latter’s only defeat came at the hands of the former, with the Cod Army enjoying four clean sheets along the way.
Bolton Wanderers Blues sit alongside the Pool, with an identical record in all respects, but are third purely for alphabetical reasons at the moment.

Despite the obvious strength in depth of this division, it is still a huge surprise to report that neither Wakefield Wanderers or Kingsmead registered a goal today. Both of these clubs have enjoyed title successes in recent years and will surely be looking to remedy that in the coming months. They currently fill the bottom two places but have the experience to dig themselves out of trouble.

Rochdale AFC Strollers developed a nasty habit of taking the lead in Division 2 today, before squandering it. In three games they opened the scoring, but they failed to register a single win and prop up the table with just the one point.

Manchester Corinthians enjoyed an unbeaten start to proceedings, but then again so did Winstanley Walkers and Panthers. The Wigan club in particular will be pleased to kick off their first season at this level on the front foot.

Bury Relics Whites stepped back from the spotlight a little, following their tremendous Martin Dawson Memorial Trophy win over the weekend, but won’t be too unhappy with three draws in an ultra competitive division. Of the ten games played today, six ended up in stalemate, that could be the story of the season for this group of teams, with every win a very significant one.

Week 2 – Over 70s Division 2 & Over 60s Divisions 3 & 4

Over 70s Report

It was a thoroughly horrible day weather wise at Heywood on Wednesday, so great credit is due to everybody who took part, from players to referees, and league officials to supporters.

Preston North End Senior Whites trip down the motorways of Lancashire was made worthwhile when they finished the day on top of the Division 2 by a significant margin of 5 points after just four games. It was good to see Ray Richards again after his recent health issues, even if he did park himself on the wing during one match!

The highlight of the day for PNE will have been the 3-0 beating they gave to a decent Bolton Arena side. The latter will be looking to improve on their return of just three points from goalless draws when October calls round.

The only other team to score were Salcom, whose 1-0 win against Winstanley Walkers left the Wiganers bottom of the table. Of course, there is a long way to go, and the Walkers will not lie down easily.

Blackpool Senior Seasiders had a solid enough start to the season, but like Bolton and Winstanley failed to trouble the scorers.

Over 60s Report

In Division 3, Preston North End Senior Whites Over 60s couldn’t emulate their senior counterparts in the 70s age bracket, when having to endure a difficult day at Heywood on Thursday. They ended proceedings propping up the table with just the one point to show for their efforts, and a couple of harsh results to ponder on. I refereed a couple of their games, and they are better than the bare results show. They will reset and go again in October.

There were absolutely no such concerns for Burnley Clarets and Moston Brook FC, who took the division by storm and share top spot on 10 points apiece. Vinny, Dave and company of Moston have been around the block a few times – I’m sure they won’t mind me saying that – and will prove a tough nut to crack in the coming months.

Burnley Clarets are another club who know what it takes to win titles and their player manager Gary Hitchen was very pleased to see four different goal scorers help the Clarets to register eight goals on the day; Steve Whitehead featuring with three of them. A far cry from last season when it took them 8 games to register their first goal!

Bolton Wanderers Whites and Bury Relics Blues will be looking to improve on yesterday’s return of four and two points respectively, but know they’ll need to do so quickly to catch the top two.

In Division 4, Wakefield Wanderers Whites were another team to set off like a house on fire yesterday, doubling the points tally of their nearest challengers Bolton Arena, who sit on five.

Only three points separate the four teams beneath the leaders, with Rochdale AFC Striders enduring a difficult day, picking up just the two points. However, new signing Mick Tarpey captain for the day, enjoyed a goal scoring return to the GMWFL and will surely be an asset to the Dale.

Ribble Valley WFC were unbeaten on the day and sit on four points with Salcom, both teams will be looking to close the gap on their Yorkshire rivals in the autumn.

Week 3 – Over 70s Division 3 & Over 65s Divisions 1 & 2

Over 70s Report

It was a beautiful September day for this Division 3 session, and the six teams competing on Wednesday looked to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, even if a few of us were ready for a sit down by lunchtime!

Having to play five games, albeit shorter at 12 minutes, keeps everyone on their toes especially the referees who were constantly cajoling teams onto their next engagement; well done lads.

Tameside Striders Greens poked their heads in front at the end of the days play, just the one point ahead of very welcome newcomers Wigan Walkers FC who will be pleased with their baptism in a very even division, remaining unbeaten.

It was a similar story for original league member club Rochdale AFC Striders, who will be pleased to concede just the one goal all day, with yours truly in goals, as an eligible underage player I must add! There are still people who are wondering how they managed that, me too.

Only 8 points separate the entire league, and from the bottom up, Panthers WFC, Ribble Valley WFC and Moston Brook FC will all fancy their chances of climbing the table next month. Any bets on the weather in October, anyone?

Over 65s Report

Thursday saw the latest installment in what must be one of the hardest Over 65’s competitions in walking football. Five teams kicked off in Division 1 and you’d be hard pushed to confidently predict the winners come December.

Perennial winners Wakefield Wanderers ended the day as top dogs, the only club to reach 1pm unbeaten, although both Bury Relics and Preston North End Senior Whites took a point from their encounters. Manchester Corinthians Reds managed just the two goals, but they were crucial as they secured three points against bottom of the table PNE.

There were 4 draws in the 10 games played out today, and just 13 goals which suggests that things will be tight in the coming months.

Bolton Arena are keeping the Yorkshire lads company, sitting just a point off them at the top, whilst Bury Relics won’t be too concerned sitting three points and two points behind the top two. Lots of games to go and more than a few twists in the tail as well.

Division 2 is just as competitive as the top division, and the day ended up with just six points separating the five teams.

For the first time in quite some time, Rochdale AFC Strollers ended the day in top spot on 8 points, a fact that pleased their plentiful supporters who, in fairness, deserve something to cheer.

There’s a saying that goes along the lines of ‘fine margins’, and it was absolutely the case today where the Dale’s record of won 2, drew 2, lost none and conceded none, could just as easily have read drew 3 and lost one. Each game was on a tightrope and instead of the Lancashire side having a penalty saved, it was the Blackpool Senior Seasiders lads rueing a great stop by Steve Sefton in the Rochdale goals.

Every other game was just as tight, and I doubt anyone could have complained if each one had resulted in a stalemate.
Indeed, Winstanley Walkers were the only other team to register a victory, with seven of the ten matches ending all square. Those ‘fine margins’ will be fully tested throughout the autumn.

Week 4 – Over 65s Divisions 3 & 4

Over 65s Report

Manchester Corinthians Whites sit on top of the pile in Division 3 after an unbeaten day at the HSV. Scoring in every game bar one, against eventual bottom of the league Burnley Clarets, the Heywood based club already boast a healthy lead of three points, and their goal difference isn’t to be sneezed at either.

Salcom are their nearest challengers despite tasting defeat in their tussle with the top team, with Manchester Citizens sitting dead centre of the opening table. Burnley Clarets will be a bit disappointed to trail Rochdale AFC Striders by 3 points already, with both clubs wanting to avoid the gap opening further when the October games are played out, they are the bottom two at the moment.

A smaller than usual Division 4 saw each of the four teams playing 3 – 20 minute matches, putting a bit more pressure on the players to avoid committing the dreaded ‘4 offences’ sin, and therefore conceding a penalty. Everyone succeeded in doing just that, although there were a couple of close calls.

There was something symmetrical about the league standing after the days play, with top team Ribble Valley WFC recording three wins, with no defeats. Bottom club [for now] Tameside Striders Whites mirrored those figures exactly.

Sandwiched between the two are Wakefield Strollers, won 2, losing 1, and Wigan Walkers FC, new to the GMWFL, who lost 2, winning 1.

I refereed three of these games and they were played in a great spirit, with everyone trying to play football, just as it should be.

I watched a couple of the new club Wigan Walkers FC games and was impressed. Despite losing two games, they are a good passing side and no doubt their results will improve as the season progresses. [Ed]

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