“Guess who just got back today, them wild eyed boys that had been away”, the opening lyrics to Thin Lizzy’s The Boys are Back in Town, in this case the ‘Boys’ being Bury Relics over 75’s, the town Heywood Sports Village. Yes they really were back as defending champions and started the 2026 season very much as they finished the 2025 campaign on an unbeaten run. The weather was cold and overcast but the mood was buoyant.
Manager: Ian McKinnon Squad: Eddy Ford (GK) (C), Dave Morris, John Bate, Kevin Longbottom, Chris Vickers, Joe Cohen, Bill Horton, Bob Daniels
First Game against Ribble Valley Invincibles, Subs Bob and Chris (Chris on for John)
Relics: 6 shots with 5 on target. Invincibles: 4 shots with 3 on target. Final Score 2 – 0
Bury started the game in total control with all round good movement and accurate passing to feet, unfortunately there was an early substitution as John who has been heavily involved in the game received an injury and as a precaution was replaced by Chris. With Dave marshalling at the back, Bill controlling the left hand side, Chris and Joe dominating the midfield and Kev proving to be a menace upfront the 1st goal was inevitable, as the Invincibles were trying to clear their lines Kev intercepted a pass and strode forward and hit a well placed shot to the keeper’s right, goal. The Relics didn’t have it all their own way but defended well and limited the opposition to long range shots that were easily collected by Eddy. An excellent passing move between Chris and Joe saw Joe hitting the ball wide of the keeper, goal. Final score 2 – 0 win fully deserved.
Second Game Blackpool Senior Seasiders. Subs Dave and John
Relics: 10 shots 4 on target. Blackpool 1 shot on target Final Score 0 – 0
To say that Bury dominated this game would be an understatement, after an unusual sloppy start from the Relics they quickly took full control, the distribution from Eddy in goal was superb, picking out teammates accurately and creating a number of attacking plays, Bob was back and made sure that on the rare occasions that Blackpool managed to break forward they were stopped with his usual efficiency, the opposition were restricted to one shot from distance. Passing moves involving all the Relics resulted in four shots by Kev, one each from Bob, Joe and Bill and three from Chris, one shot Chris seemed to defy all rules of science as it struck the inside of the post but somehow managed to spin back out rather than ending up in the goal. Final score 0 – 0, you can’t win them all
Third Game Tameside Striders. Subs Kev and John
Relics: 2 shots 1 on target. Tameside: 7 shots with 3 on target. Final Score 0 – 0
The break between games seemed to cost the Relics their momentum, the free flowing attacking football of the first two games turned into backs to the wall defending, Dave and Bob both forced into last ditch defending forcing their opponents wide to deny them shooting opportunities. On a rare break forward a good lay off from Joe resulted in Bill’s shot hitting the post. Tameside continued to surge forward with one shot hitting the post, as ever Eddy was reliable in goal making one or two good saves. Final score 0 – 0, Relics grateful for the point
Fourth Game Rochdale Strollers. Subs Joe and John
Relics: 2 shots none on target. Rochdale : 5 shots all on target. Final Score 0 – 0
Trying to avoid a hangover from the previous game the Relics set off on the front foot, Chris holding the ball well with good support from team mates, there was an excellent through ball from Dave to Bill who just couldn’t quite get a shot in. Rochdale then took full command and once again it was backs to the wall defending, there was a break in play as the ball ricocheted into Bill’s face causing a small cut above his eye, manager Ian opted to bring on Joe not wanting to risk further injury to John. There was some good defending but once again Relics were reliant on ‘Steady Eddy’ in goal who pulled off a couple of excellent saves. Final score 0 – 0, again Relics grateful for the point gained
The old football cliche ‘a game of two halves’ could be changed to a ‘session of two halves’, excellent attacking football then turned into at times desperate defending, full marks to the players, unbeaten and four clean sheets, added bonus was great to see Bob back.
Quote of the day from an unnamed Relics player, “f*ckin Kev’s showboating again”, said in good faith I might add. Manager Ian’s summing up “Thanks to all the players today for a great effort. Played good football and defended well when needed”.
Supporters and officials on the day, KethS, Pat, KenB and TonyP. Report by NevK
Bury Relics 