In the inaugural year of the Greater Manchester Walking Football over 75’s League the Bury Relics came out on top in what is to be believed the first league of this kind in the Country
The Relics main sponsor is Tower Family Healthcare, an extract from their website:-
At Tower Family Healthcare, we are passionate about supporting our local community. That’s why we are proud to sponsor Bury Relics walking football team! We’ve backed the Relics since 2019 and have recently kitted them out with a brand new team strip to make sure they look the part when out on the pitch.
Why we love walking football
Walking football isn’t just a game – it’s a game changer.
It keeps players moving, motivated and connected, and the benefits go far beyond fitness. Walking football can:
- Reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
- Improve balance, core strength and bone density.
- Lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Boost mental wellbeing, confidence and social connections.
Most importantly, it’s fun! And when exercise is enjoyable, people stick with it.
They must be delighted with the performance of the Bury Relics Over 75’s
The Relic’s President Keiran Tilley had this to say:-
“I have been delighted to have been involved both as a player and as Relics Chairman with the GMWF league’s inaugural season for the over 75’s division.
I don’t think any of us thought we would still be kicking a football around at the ripe old age of 75+ and I’m immensely proud of what the Relics have achieved winning the league on its first outing UTR” 🙌👍⚽
Team Manager Ian McKinnon (above) who is a regular player with The Relics over 60’s Whites (Yoof Team) said of his team “It was a pleasure to help the lads. Thanks to the League for having the vision to introduce a full over 75s competition, to the other 3 excellent squads for their sportsmanship and finally to all our players and supporters.
The players were fantastic; it was a real group effort with them all making individual sacrifices to achieve their aim, they played brilliant football at times but could grind out results when required. A top quality team.
The squad
Keiran Tilley: In his own words “I have been playing football since my schooldays at several levels. Also responsible for running many clubs/competitions from kids to over 35 age groups. Chairman of the very successful Goldline competition run in conjuction with Bolton Wanderers. Have been with the Relics from day one as a founder member proudly watching it grow successfully from a scratch team to the current 5 team set up of today .👍⚽”
Bob Daniels: In his own words “I have been with the Relics ever since it started 8/9 years ago. Because of a shortage of players to begin with, I played in the 60’s, 65’s, 70’s and 75’s. I’m 83 in April 😂
The 70’s and 75’s have had a good season as we won both leagues. It’s a well run club, a great set of lads overall & I would recommend it to anyone. It’s great for keeping fit & keeping you mentally active.”
Dave Morris: In his own words “Started playing with the relics some 7/8 years ago when our John got me down to the castle leisure centre. Played initially with the over 70’s until I progressed to over 75’s. Having now reached the grand old age of 79. I played amateur football in south Manchester and Wythenshawe league until getting married, moving to Darwen and playing with Nelson in the Lancs Combination. Moved to Bury and played locally with Huntley in the Manchester League. Stopped playing and took over as manager of Huntley. In 1979/80 I got the opportunity to manage Clitheroe in the Lancs Combination winning the title in the first season in charge. Opportunity came to manage Radcliffe Boro leading them to 2 Championships over 6 /7 years in the North West Counties Divisions 1 and 2 before getting sacked the same week Ron Atkinson got fired from United. Joined Atherton L.R and took them to 2 North West Counties Titles and semi final of the FA Vase losing after 3 games to Diss Town. Finally had an unsuccessful spell at Flixton Town getting fired after just 6 months in charge. It was then time to call it a day before prolonging my career with Bury Relics.”
John Morris: In his own words “Been with relics since 2018 I think the year after they formed. I played for 60’s and 65’s for next five years I think winning a few leagues along the way. I played in Wythenshawe leagues and Manchester league for a while for a team called Grey Park Rangers. Played for Huntley in the Bury area for a couple of years and for Radcliffe Boro 2nd team when I finished at the ripe old age of 28 which was a mistake. This season was amazing playing with people who were approaching or even past 80. The highlight was still being able to play with my brother David after our last game probably 50 years ago. A privilege to play with the Relics and always a bonus when we win something”
John Wardle: The Relics walking miracle. In his own words “Been playing for the Relics since 2018 and turned out for the 65/70/75’s, I have turned out for over 50 teams over the years and have been sent off 9 times. I was picked up by Bury in 1968 trained on the shale there for 3 months to no avail. My nose has been fractured 7 times one of them smashed by our own Graham Walton, add to that a depressed fracture of the cheekbone, shoulder bursa injury, broken ribs, severed tendons in the fingers, AC ligament replacements, meniscus tear left and right knee, broken navicular bones in both feet. Ambition is to be playing when I reach Bobs age 😁👍”
Pat Fitzgerald: In his own words “Started walking football at Bolton then transferred to Bury Relics when they started a team. Joined the Relics in 2017 when numbers were made up by those in Bury Leisure so we could have a match. Played for all the age groups 60’s, 65’s, 70’s and now the 75’s, not that I was any good, just got older!! Managed to play for the England Parkinson’s Disease team in Glasgow (in goal). Played for most teams at Heywood as very often teams were short and I just loved being involved. Enjoy my football and received a 25 year award from the LFA for services to football. Qualified football referee and hockey umpire . Had the privilege to carry the Queens Baton during the 2022 Commonwealth games. Love the chats after games with tea and biscuits.
Eddie Ford: Goal Keeper and Captain. In his own words “Played rugby for school and Salford boys. Played for Salford colts and football in the Eccles Sunday league, that was a brutal league. Joined merchant navy and played football against other ships when in port. Left After 7 years 1978 and didn’t play football again till 2019. Played for Relics for over 4 years. I’ve played for every team in that time and we have won a number of trophies. I’ve had a few injuries but played on. Don’t think I’ve missed a game in that time. Won 60’s player of the year twice and overall player of the year last season. Relics is a great club with great ethics and a great bunch of lads.”
The following 4 players recruited from Salcom represented the Relics and each and everyone of them made a valuable contribution to this successful season
John Bate
Joe Cohen
Bill Horton
Kev Longbottom: In his own words
“A great season, unbelievable that you would ever have thought you would be kicking a football in a team environment again.
I started playing walking football around 12 years ago at Eccles Gym when we were lucky to get 4 a side – amazing how the game has grown over the last few years.
I was born on 1949 (76 years old) and played football for Ellesmere in the Eccles League when I was 17 after playing at school for Eccles Grammar – I then played in the Manchester Amateur League for Stretford and The Orion in Withington in my later years finishing when I was around 40
It’s just great playing again not just the football but meeting many new people of similar backgrounds which also leads to other social activities.
The Season Unfolds:-
March 2025
A rare beautiful day at Heywood welcomed the players for the first games in the newly formed over 75’s league.
The fitness of the players and standard of play was excellent showing that this Division is going to be as strong and competitive as all the other Divisions in the league.
The Relics were impressive from the start
Results March:-
Relics 1 – Invincibles 1
Relics 1 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 0 – Tameside 1
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April 2025
In April Bury Relics Over 75’s went into their second set of fixtures of the Greater Manchester Division 1 Walking Football Spring 2025 league campaign. Overall, an unusual day in which we scored 4 left footed goals from open play in only 3 games whilst conceding 2 extremely soft penalties. The quality of our football deserved the six points gained and they took us to equal top of the table with Tameside on 10 points. It is extremely tight though with Invincibles on 8 and Rochdale on 6 so all 4 teams have everything to play for next month.
Results April:-
Relics 0 – Invincibles 1
Relics 2 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 2 – Tameside 1
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May 2025
The Relics over 75’s went into the third set of fixtures in May. On the day, it was perfect conditions for playing football; no rain, no wind and not too hot a sunshine, so it set the scene for some high-quality football. It was a very enjoyable set of games to watch with some good football. Tremendously well-done Relics, who are now 3 points clear at the top of the league.
Note:In a true sporting gesture Pat moved on a Bosman free loan transfer to the Invincibles mid-game.
Results May :-
Relics 1 – Invincibles 0
Relics 0 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 1 – Tameside 0
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June 2025
A humid day but not blazing sunshine, at Heywood for matchday 4 of the over 75s league.
Bury extended their lead at the top of the league, with a superior points tally of 22 points, 6 ahead of second placed Tameside. The advantage of depth of squad was evident today. The young manager Ian M, who’s in his inaugural season as a Bury Relics manager, is doing a tremendous job, encouraging and advising his team throughout the games. Well done to all the Relics, all made a positive contribution to a fairly successful day at the office.
Results June :-
Relics 2 – Invincibles 1
Relics 0 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 0 – Tameside 0
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September 2025
The Relics over 75’s started today’s session of games 6 points clear at the top of the table and looking to extend the lead. All the drama of the day came in the Relics last game – Relics unbeaten thanks to a double comeback in the last 3 minutes.
Results September :-
Relics 0 – Invincibles 0
Relics 0 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 2 – Tameside 2
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October 2025
On a damp, dull, drizzly, Heywood morning, more suited to sitting at home watching daytime TV with a blanket over your knee. The Relics were putting in some stellar performances to move 8 points above second place at the top of the league
Results October :-
Relics 0 – Invincibles 0
Relics 1 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 0 – Tameside 0
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November 2025
Bury Relics Over 75’s went into their penultimate set of fixtures of the Greater Manchester Division 1 Walking Football 2025 league campaign as league leaders. As every game between the 4 teams ended 0-0 this leaves Relics needing just one point from the final session in late November, all in all a good session’s results from the lads.
Results November :-
Relics 0 – Invincibles 0
Relics 0 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 0 – Tameside 0
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26th November 2025
Step aside Captain Mainwaring, Sergeant Wilson et al, Bury Relics own Dad’s Army the over 75’s were on parade at Heywood Sports Sports Village ably supported by a small platoon from Salcom. On a cold but mainly sunny day whilst the Govt. and NHS were giving endless advice on how the elderly should stay warm during these cold spells the brave warriors of the Greater Manchester Walking Football League turned out for the final session of the inaugural over 75’s league
Results :-
Relics 0 – Invincibles 0
Relics 0 – Rochdale Strollers 0
Relics 0 – Tameside 0
The Relics winning ways continued into the hall for the post match food and presentations, with Relics players, officials and spectators claiming at least of the raffle prizes on offer. One touching moment during the presentation came when the two players, of worthy league runners up Rochdale, received their trophy it was announced that they would both be ‘hanging up their boots’ both quite emotional they received a well earned round of applause. Then came the moment we had waited for as captain Eddy received the inaugural over 75’s League Winners Trophy, the first of its kind in the country.
Final League table courtesy of Greater Manchester Walking Football League
Table Division 1
| POS | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Bury Relics 75s | 24 | 7 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 36 | |
| 2 | Rochdale AFC Strollers 75s | 24 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 32 | |
| 3 | Tameside Striders 75s | 24 | 5 | 12 | 7 | -4 | 27 | |
| 4 | The Invincibles 75s | 24 | 4 | 12 | 8 | -3 | 24 |
No league is complete without fair, worthy and competitive opponents, a big thanks goes out to the players, officials and supporters of The Invincibles, Rochdale Strollers and Thameside Striders
I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the officials, players and supporters of Bury Relics, when I say “gentlemen of the over 75’s you are an inspiration to all of us, congratulations Champions”
A Neville Kitchen Review
Bury Relics 