Whitehaven friendly tournament
Date; Whitehaven, June 3rd 2025
Background
A man called Richard turned up one Tuesday at the Castle for game of walking football and asked if Bury Community Football would be interested in a friendly with some players from Whitehaven. So, on the 26th of February 2025 we played a 5-team league format friendly at the Castle. The league consisted 5 teams, with 3x coming from Bury. Bury Black Bibs managed to top the league after winning all games, but it was very close, with Whitehaven’s top team, who won all except the Black Bibs, just being beaten by a single goal. After, we went to the Jewel in the Crown for tea. It was a very good day of football, played in a friendly manner; it was great to meet the Whitehaven lads. Picture shows the team photo from the Bury Tournament.
Return leg in Whitehaven
As a consequence, since the Whitehaven lads had made considerable effort to make a long trip to Bury from Whitehaven, we thought we’d return the gesture and take a couple of teams to Whitehaven. Ergo, on the 3rd of June 2025, a combined set of players from Bury Relics and Bury Community Football, took a mini-bus and a car to Whitehaven, which was 17 players in total (15 on the bus, 2 in the car). The outward journey was punctuated by a visit to a very nice service station called Tebay services (I think it’s won awards) for breakfast, which was subsidized by Ramsbottom Rotary (see below). It was an interesting breakfast as I learnt about Cuddy’s Cheese that apparently used to be sold at Tebay, and Dave bought himself a magic carpet. Additionally, following a fuel up of the grey matter, the remaining part of the journey involved a 50-question classic sports quiz. When I was setting it, I was thinking it could be simple for the sporting geniuses that were along on the trip, but I got many groans of this being difficult. From all the teams of 2, it looked like Phil and Dave B, Mark and Keith T (#1028) and Mike and Ian were the favourites. This was emphasized when one of the teams started to brag as they finished while all the other teams were half way through theirs. As it turned out, the said team had missed out the last 2 pages and didn’t win as a result. Phil and Dave B came a commendable 2nd place on 33 points, while Mark E and Keith T (#1028) won with 36 points (well done). Photo shows Keith T (#1028) and myself taking a selfie on the minibus.
Guided tour of Whitehaven Harbour
On arrival in Tesco’s Super store in Whitehaven, we were met by Richard, who had kindly planned a tour of Whitehaven Harbour. On reflection, afterwards, we were thinking this was a strategy to tire us out, as it involved climbing a huge stone staircase. It’s not an ideal thing to do, just after 3 hours in a minibus 😊. Anyway, the tour was excellent, with great scenery and an interesting narrative from Richard. Some of us did an alternative walk on a beach, which was also good. Note; if we go back to Whitehaven, we can get a game of beach cricket in, as this beach is close and we could do both football and quick game of cricket. Photos show the harbour and the steep steps Richard made most of us climb.
Football games
On to the football stadium, where we were warmly welcomed by Phil and Nige, and all the players of Whitehaven. Whitehaven had prepared a nice spreadsheet of the football format for the day, which was similar to the Bury friendly, with a league format consisting of 5 teams. This time Whitehaven had 3 teams and Bury the 2. Each team played each other once, with the winners of the league format being Whitehaven team 1. Well done for winning the league. The league finished as; 1st place Whitehaven 1 won 3 and drawn 1 = 10 points, 2nd place Bury 1 won 2 and drawn 2 = 8 points, 3rd place Whitehaven 2 won drawn 1 and lost 1 = 7 points, Whitehaven 3 team and Bury 2nds both drawn 1 lost 3 each = 1 point.
Since the top 2 teams were not tired enough, they decided to have a one-off “FA Cup” final. This was an incredibly tight game, with Whitehaven throwing the kitchen sink at Bury, who were defending for their lives. It was not all one-way traffic though as Bury had attacks of their own on the break, and, as it’s like in professional football, it takes something special or individual genius to break the deadlock. Youth team player Craig scored a wonder goal for Bury to win it, taking the ball inside a defender and hitting an unstoppable shot into the top left-hand corner. A fabulous goal. I think he’s still smiling now 😊.
A selection of photos including a mass team photo of everyone.
In summary
In my small opinion, the football was great from both sets of players. Notably, for Whitehaven, from what I saw, Richard scored at least 5 good goals, with good build up play from Geordie, one-touch give and go football from all that team. In the first game, Bury 1 were under extreme pressure, with Pat making some great saves. It was a great point for Bury to draw that game, a bit fortunate. Whitehaven’s other teams were also strong, with awesome individual skills from Kate (Lenor Messi) and her supporting cast. Whitehaven’s 3rd team played well and scored on the day, which was great.
Bury players were also fabulous; Pat in goal didn’t concede all day, Keith S was top scorer for Bury with 5 I think, Pete S, Tony G, Mark E, Craig and Ian made up a very strong Bury 1 team. Bury’s second team played well too but were probably undone by the physicality of tournament football. Despite this, Phill did a sterling job of leading the team, with Alan in goal making multiple good saves, Mike, Keith B, Watford Mark, Dave B, Keith Hamblett and John Hamblett, Keith T, John H and John (Leeds fan) all made useful contributions to the team. Dave B did not leave his most feared left foot at home, who scored 2 sublime goals that were similar, both top corner screamers. One was against the winners of the league, Whitehaven 1, but they were winning 6-0 at the time 😊. Well done to all the players.
Hospitality and great attitude of all
Whitehaven’s friendliness and hospitality were great and there was no confrontations or heated disagreements about any of the football. The facilities with showers, changing rooms and a bar were good. Richard, Phil and Nige did a great job of organizing the event and a Curry to be delivered to the bar, which was delicious. Thanks to Richard’s wife who served behind the bar, when the bar staff didn’t turn up (and also helped serve food). Everyone enjoyed the football and the food afterwards. It was a great day out. Thank you very much to Whitehaven people. Thanks to all from Bury players too, who had a positive and helpful attitude on the day.
Acknowledgements to others:
Colin Whaley with his minibus was excellent. Most importantly, he was punctual, helpful and a safe driver, whilst been quick enough to be prompt. At no time did we feel unsafe and he was very helpful if someone wanted something from the luggage boot and also stopped whenever we wanted to. We recommend Colin and his minibus company to anyone for a day trip, he was fabulous. See CW Exec Travel.
The VCFA and Ramsbottom Rotary. When I was organizing this trip, I was worried we would not get 16 people to fill the coach, and so I asked Anne and Katherine from the VCFA if I could get some money to make seats cheaper for everyone, so better attract people. Katherine kindly put me in contact with Kevin from Ramsbottom Rotary Club and he supplied me with Duck Race Tickets. I managed to sell 150 worth and that subsidized the trip. As we sold all 16 seats on the bus in the end, we used the surplus to buy breakfast at Tebay Services on the M6. Even Colin the driver got in on the act. So, a big thank you very much to Anne and Katherine of the VCFA (VCFA site) and Kevin from Ramsbottom Rotary Club (website) for that.
Photos by Ian, Watford Mark, Craig, Richard and Dr. John.
Report by Dr. John.
Photo memories of the trip
Bury Relics 