Manchester Walking Football Over 75s Summer League 2024
Manchester Walking Football Over 75s Summer League 2024
All Reports By Kevin Williams
Week 1 – Over 75s Division 1 Report

The 6 Over 75s Teams
The inaugural Over 75’s League kicked off on Thursday the 4th July, although no Independence Day jokes spring to mind.

Table Division 1
Rochdale AFC WFC set the early pace, and served notice of their intent by putting five past the unlucky BBSC Vets A team in their final outing of the day. An unbeaten start for the Dale, and one that sees them take a two point lead into round two, with the bonus point of a +7 goal difference.
The Vets B team are hard on their heels however, and a two point deficit is far from insurmountable with so many games remaining.
The majority of the remaining games ended up level, with Preston North End Senior Whites, Tameside Striders and Blackpool Senior Seasiders all registering 3 draws apiece.
It’s truly remarkable to see walking football still being played by these Golden Oldies, and from all accounts being played well!
The GMWFL once again are the pathfinders in league walking football. This is the first FA affiliated over 75s league in the country. The GMWFL were also the first to establish over 60s and over 70s FA affiliated leagues in the country. We missed out on the first over 65s FA affiliated league by 6 months.
I have never seen so much white hair or lack of any hair in one place! Over 75s and I had to smile hearing the referees shout “slow down.”[Ed]
Week 2 – Over 75s Division 1 Report

Table Division 1
The inaugural over 75’s league competition celebrated reaching the half way point in beautiful sunshine on Thursday. The players gave an excellent display all round, and it was inspiring to see some quite remarkable football, with goals scored and goals saved wherever you looked.
Rochdale AFC WFC maintained their lead at the top, but had to be somewhere near their best to do so. A momentary slip against Tameside Striders nearly spoiled the day for them, but the Blues recovered with wins against Preston North End Senior Whites and Blackpool Senior Seasiders.
The BBSC Vets ‘A’ team continue to search for that elusive first victory, but sit just 2 points off the Blackpool club, so they’ve everything to play for in the remaining two rounds of games. No relegation worries though, unless we form 2 divisions if more teams enter next year.
Only 4 points separate the BBSC Vets ‘B’ team from the top of the table, with PNE and Tameside also well within touching distance of glory. It’s all to play for in August!
It was mentioned why don’t the GMWFL run an over 75s representative team. Why not if we can find some opposition.[Ed]
Week 3 – Over 75s Division 1 Report

Table Division 1
It was a lovely day at sunny Heywood on Thursday, perhaps just a touch TOO lovely for our gallant over 75’s who sweltered in the heat, but nonetheless put up a great show for a decent sized crowd.
I had the pleasure of seeing close up [being the ‘man in the middle’ for five matches] the genuine effort and commitment our seniors produced on a day better suited to deck chairs and hankies on heads!
Sadly for the BBSC Vets B team, they fell foul of the age restrictions in place and forfeited their games, resulting in 1-0 wins for each of their opponents.
That decision by the committee changed the picture following a very good days play, but it was as you were for Rochdale AFC Strollers who now head the chasing pack by 3 points, with Preston North End Senior Whites and Tameside Striders still very much in the running [sorry walking] with five matches still to play.
It’s pretty much a separate battle to avoid the wooden spoon for the two Vets teams, and Blackpool Senior Seasiders. They’ll be hoping that Mother Nature casts a more considerate eye over the weather on the 15th!
Week 4 – Over 75s Division 1 Report

Table Division 1
There was a reduced fixture list for the inaugural over 75’s season’s finale on Thursday, with Blackpool Senior Seasiders suffering a number of setbacks that sadly caused them to stay put on the Fylde coast.
Steve Hyde’s club rightly have a proud reputation for their reliability and sportsmanship, and we can only wish them a return to health and fitness in the very near future.
The unfortunate outcome of the Seasiders predicament saw them slip to the foot of the table, but the focus of the day was, as expected, on the top three.
Rochdale AFC Strollers became the first winners of this title, but not until they’d done a great job of putting their supporters through the emotional wringer, dropping four points in the opening two games.
Why do things the easy way? One good reason is that there is NO easy way in this division, as the standard is still very high, despite the advancing years.
The Dale got back on track by beating Tameside Striders and drawing with the two BBSC Vets teams, to keep a determined challenge by Preston North End Senior Whites at bay.
All of those teams showed that the beautiful game – even at walking pace – can still be enjoyed, and that the competitive spirit burns brightly long after previous generations would have put their feet up!
Congratulations to everyone who has taken part this season, you have been a credit to your clubs.

Rochdale AFC Strollers GMWFL Division 1 Over 75s Winners 2024

Preston North End Senior Whites GMWFL Division 1 Over 75s Runners Up 2024
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Apologies from Blackpool Senior Seasiders for not being able to fulfill our last fixtures but it proved a session too far from us as we fell foul to covid, injuries, holidays and family commitments leaving us with just 4 and 2 half fit players available.
A trawl of our local compatriots on the Fylde coast failed to find any fit and able 75+ players (yet) and we had to take the regrettable decision not to make the 110 mile round trip this time. Hopefully we will be able to try again next year (if invited). Well done to all the players who took part in the series. It was a joy to watch “almost” pure walking football. Our abiding thought is that “our parents would never have been able, or have the opportunity, to take part in such a great event. Congratulations to Rochdale, well deserved winners.