For Spring 2024, Bury Relics over 60s Stripes had already won their league, and the over 70s were runners up in a competitive top division with an unrecognizable team to the usual, which had won multiple prior championships. Ergo, could Bury Relics over 65s keep the success flowing at the club? The answer is a resounding Yes! Bury Relics are champions of the top division for the over 65s age group. Sensationally, tremendous!
Manchester’s one or two days a year of sunshine coincided with the final set of over 65s fixtures. On the day, the management consisted Ken Bug as head coach with back-up from Keiren T and Sir Pat. The chosen squad for the day contained 8 players to contest the last 4 games of the season: Gaz (GK), Graham (C), Pete S, Paul, Kevin, Keith S, Alan and Ian Mack-hinio.
The situation in the table before play showed that Bury were 2 points behind leaders Wakefield, who also had a +3 better goal difference than Bury Relics. In addition, Manchester Corinthians sat in third place, a further 2 points behind Relics. It was conceivable, with a freak set of results, that even last placed Blackpool could finish first or second but realistically, the title was going to one of the top three sides.
| Team | Goal Difference | Points |
| Wakefield | 4 | 19 |
| Bury Relics | 1 | 17 |
| Corinthians | 0 | 15 |
Bury Relics Over 65’s versus Bolton Arena 65’s
To see the highlights of the game, including a calm and measured rebound finish by captain Graham W, click-here.
To watch the entire match, click-here.
Result; Bury Relics Over 65’s 1 – 0 Bolton Arena 65’s
After the first games, Bury managed to close the points gap courtesy of their win and Wakefield’s draw, to go equal top and increase their GD by 1, However, Bury were still in 2nd on GD.
| Team | Goal Difference | Points |
| Wakefield | 4 | 20 |
| Bury Relics | 2 | 20 |
| Corinthians | 0 | 16 |
Bury Relics Over 65’s versus Blackpool Senior Seasiders 65’s
To see the highlights of the game where our resident Brazilian Ian Mack-hinio scores from close to the corner flag and who also brings out the back-heel nutmeg again (it was no fluke against Fleetwood earlier this season), click-here.
To watch the entire match, click-here.
Result; Bury Relics Over 65’s 1 – 0 Blackpool Senior Seasiders 65’s
The results after the second games meant Wakefield remained top, despite Bury winning, and Wakefield increasing their goal difference superiority by one.
| Team | Goal Difference | Points |
| Wakefield | 6 | 23 |
| Bury Relics | 3 | 23 |
| Corinthians | 1 | 19 |
Bury Relics Over 65’s versus Wakefield Wanderers 65’s
To see the highlights of the game, click-here.
To watch the entire match, click-here.
Result; Bury Relics Over 65’s 0 – 0 Wakefield Wanderers 65’s
After the third game for Bury, all teams in the top 3 drew, so all positions in the table remained the same going into the last games.
| Team | Goal Difference | Points |
| Wakefield | 6 | 24 |
| Bury Relics | 3 | 24 |
| Corinthians | 1 | 20 |
Bury Relics Over 65’s versus Manchester Corinthians 65’s
To see the highlights of the game, including the late championship winning Toe-Bung by Ian Mack-hinio, click-here.
To watch the entire match, click-here.
Result; Bury Relics Over 65’s 1 – 0 Manchester Corinthians 65’s
Bury Relics over 65s are champions of Manchester Walking Football League division 1 as Wakefield drew their last game and the legend of the Toe-Bung handed Bury the title, in the final moments of their game against Corinthians. Final Table;
| Team | Goal Difference | Points |
| Bury Relics | 4 | 27 |
| Wakefield | 6 | 25 |
| Corinthians | 0 | 20 |
On the day, Bury Relics were the best team, with more attacking play that any of the other sides. Three wins and a draw are almost a clean sweep and that is a championship winning performance. However, Bury probably owe Blackpool a drink or two as they fought for a 1-1 draw for the final game against Wakefield, while Bury were playing Corinthians. As well as Bury played today, they didn’t score against Wakefield and that goal/draw for Blackpool gave Bury the two extra points and the league title. At the final whistle of Bury’s game, most players were happy to think they had finished runners up, but the news got through they were in fact champions. This was one of the happiest moments I have experienced with the Relics, everyone was totally stunned and completely elated when they realized they had won. The Pie and Peas tasted even better and it was fun taking photos of team players holding the trophy. Here is captain Graham picking up the trophy (click-here). Fabulous team effort and deservedly champions, the club put on a colossal effort with their organization and training sessions and reaped their rewards with a superb championship win. Congratulations Relics!
Report by Dr. John.
Photos
Bury Relics 