Not to be outdone by their ‘elders’ of the over 75’s the ‘youngsters’ of the Bury Relics over 70’s became the League Champions of the inaugural GMWFL spring and autumn format
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 70’s
The season’s match day squads included:-
Eddie Ford GK (7 out of 8 appearances)
John Morris Captain (8 out of 8 appearances)
Tex O’Rourke (7 out of 8 appearances)
Gerry Luzcha (7 out of 8 appearances)
Bob Daniels (7 out of 8 appearances)
John Wardle (6 out of 8 appearances}
Ken Buggie (6 out of 8 appearance, including 1 as player manager)
Peter Taylor (5 out of 8 appearances)
Ray Hatton (4 out of 8 appearances)
Graham Walton (3 out of 8 appearances)
Alan Blackley 2 out of 8 appearance, 1 as stand in goalkeeper)
It is a measure of the quality and depth of the squad that two of our players Tex and Graham have represented England
The Relics Chairman Keiran Tilley had this to say “After an outstanding season of top class football our over 70’s have finished the top of division 1 by a clear margin finishing the last day with 4 deserve wins. Let’s keep it going into the next season.” 🙌👍⚽ UTR
Pat Fitzgerald was the manager for most of the sessions and when not available was ably replaced by Keith Swain, Pat’s comment on the season “Fortunate to have players who could play the way I wanted which was always two in defence with a midfield three, all of which were capable of scoring. Notwithstanding a great goalkeeper at the back”
How the season progressed:-
March 2025
Overall, a very mixed day of results which every team suffered. We are equal bottom on 4 points with the unbeaten Tameside but only 2 points behind leaders Winstanley with Rochdale and Corinthians both on 5 points. Literally anything is possible in this league.
Pat commented afterwards “It was a day of improvement. First game disaster, second better, third excellent. The last game was lost by a penalty and the opposition managed the game with some interesting refereeing decisions. Edd again the penalty specialist. Well done everyone.”
Results March:-
Relics 0 – Corinthians 1
Relics 0 – Tameside 0
Relics 2 – Rochdale 0
Relics 0 – Winstanley 1
April 2025
No goals conceded on the day and the 3 points against Tameside helped Bury move up the table into 2nd place, courtesy of goal difference. With Winstanley 4 points clear at the top and the next 3 teams on 10 points, all is to play for in the league. It was notable that refereeing strategy could have changed since there was not one penalty given for or against Bury on the day (for 4 offences), which is not what usually happens in these fixtures. If Bury can score more goals next time out, maybe they can catch Winstanley. In any case, a good day’s football for the Relics.
Results April :-
Relics 0 – Corinthians 0
Relics 2 – Tameside 0
Relics 0 – Rochdale 0
Relics 0 – Winstanley 0
May 2025
A fine beautiful sunny day with a promise of fine beautiful football from a squad boasting both experience and youth with the notable promotion of Graham from his Academy position in the 60’s and 65’s to the Senior division.
Results May :-
Relics 0 – Corinthians 0
Relics 1 – Tameside 1
Relics 1 – Rochdale 0
Relics 1 – Winstanley 0
June 2025
On the final day before the summer break the Relics kept themselves in contention for the over 70’s league title with a clean sheet in all four games and 6 points from the day’s activities. A great display by the Relics
Results June:-
Relics 0 – Corinthians 0
Relics 0 – Tameside 0
Relics 0 – Rochdale 0
Relics 1 – Winstanley 0
September 2025
Bury Relics Over-70s have had a resilient and impressive Spring 2025 campaign in the Greater Manchester Walking Football League, marked by disciplined defending and steady progress. A good day for the Relics, to inject a bit of comedy, “The defence was so generous at times, they’re now being considered for charity status.” And “One shot was so wide, it’s now listed on Airbnb as a weekend getaway.” A mixed bag of results, but plenty of promise in the performances to show Relics are still in with a shout of winning the league. The players and management performed well, and all contributed positively to the 5 points attained today; well done Bury Relics.
Results September:-
Relics 0 – Corinthians 1
Relics 0 – Tameside 0
Relics 1 – Rochdale 0
Relics 0 – Winstanley 0
October 2025
Bury Relics sat in second place in the league table, 7 points behind leaders Manchester Corinthians. Bury Relics had a great day and fully deserved their 10 points reward. In contrast, Corinthians didn’t do as well, with their 4 points on the day. This shot Bury Relics to within a single point of Manchester Corinthians at the top, and reduce the goal difference deficit to just a single goal. This is magnificent for the team, management and fans. It’s stating the obvious that a good day or a bad day for a team can change things drastically at the top, so hopefully the Relics can maintain their good form of today into the last 2 sets of fixtures. If they do that, they have a huge chance of winning the title. Go Bury Relics!!
Results October:-
Relics 1 – Corinthians 0
Relics 1 – Tameside 0
Relics 0 – Rochdale 0
Relics 1 – Winstanley 0
November 2025
Concentration and determination, coupled with quality football, pulled Bury Relics over 70s to the top of their league. After the first game, heads could have dropped but no, fires burned deep inside of players, fans and management, and it was no surprise they produced fireworks and moments of magic to accumulate 7 points from the remaining 3 games. I was thinking of getting the sparklers out in celebration. It showed grit and stamina to over turn the 4 point deficit into a 1 point advantage; congratulations Relics on a fabulous day. Fabulous players, with organization and encouragement from staff, plus a sizable support, all combined to produce a successful day at the office. One set of fixtures to go, and if they do go on to win the league, it will be fully deserved. Go Bury Relics!!
Results November:-
Relics 1 – Corinthians 2
Relics 1 – Tameside 0
Relics 1 – Rochdale 0
Relics 0 – Winstanley 0
December 2025
Bury Relics over 70s squad made history as the first side to win the over 70s league title contested over 12 months (combined spring and autumn sessions). They did it with panache, winning all four of their games on the final day of play. It was a great day for Bury Relics football club, as they won the over 70s league in style. All players and staff, throughout the season deserve credit as this was not easy to do, Bury’s high quality and the determination by all players, staff and fans, for the team to do well. This combination of factors was the catalyst to the league title success. Obviously, everyone was ecstatic. Here is a photo of the happy team and staff.
Results December:-
Relics 2 – Corinthians 0
Relics 2 – Tameside 0
Relics 1 – Rochdale 0
Relics 1 – Winstanley 0
Final Table GMWFL Over 70’s Division 1
| POS | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Bury Relics 70’s | 32 | 15 | 13 | 4 | 15 | 58 |
| 2 | Manchester Corinthians 70’s | 32 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 49 |
| 3 | Tameside Striders Blues 70’s | 32 | 9 | 14 | 9 | -1 | 41 |
| 4 | Winstanley Walkers 70’s | 32 | 7 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 39 |
| 5 | Rochdale AFC Strollers 70’s | 32 | 3 | 10 | 19 | -23 | 19 |
As ever no competition is complete without worthy opponents, organisers the Greater Manchester Walking Football League all Officials and not forgetting the Referees, thanks go out to all involved.
A Neville Kitchen Review.
Bury Relics 