The phrase ‘Total Football’ was first used to describe the concept of fluid, interchanging play where defenders could seamlessly shift into attack and and attackers into defence without disrupting the system and was associated with the Dutch sides of the 1970’s, we can now add the phrase ‘Total Walking Football’ to describe the Relics over 75’s for their performance at Heywood in the latest series of GMWF fixtures.
The squad: Joe Cohen, Tex O’Rourke, Dave Morris, Bob Daniels, Pat Fitzgerald, Eddy Ford (GK) (C), Bill Horton, John Morris, John Wardle
Manager: Ian McKinnon
8th June 2026 conditions at Heywood varied from Autumnal to Spring like not the early summer days that people dream of
First Game against Ribble Valley Invincibles, Subs Tex and Billy, (Billy on for JW)
Relics: 4 shots with 3 on target. Invincibles: 3 shots with 2 on target. Final Score 0 – 0
Bury started the game in total control with all round good movement and accurate passing to feet, an early move saw a JW break on the right and his pass to JoMo whose shot was narrowly wide. Ribble denied the Relics a goal scoring opportunity with a clumsy tackle from behind, the resulting penalty was well struck by JW but the keeper made an impressive save touching the ball onto the post. With Dave marshalling the back, substitute Bill controlling the left hand side, Bob and JoMo dominating the midfield and Joe holding the ball well upfront the 1st goal was inevitable, however this was not to be, an excellent passing move resulted in the keeper saving a shot from Dave who had drifted upfront, there were further shots on target shot from Bill and JoMo. Good positional play and defending restricted the opposition to long range shots that were easily covered by Eddy. Final score 0 – 0 The Relics excellent play deserved more.
Second Game Blackpool Senior Seasiders. Subs JoMo and Bob
.Relics: 9 shots 4 on target. Blackpool 1 shot on target Final Score 1 – 0
To say that Bury dominated this game would be an understatement, the Relics quickly took full control and ran the game from start to finish, the distribution from Eddy in goal was superb, picking out teammates accurately and creating a number of attacking plays, the opposition were restricted to one shot from distance. A passing move started from the back by Dave and involving all the Relics players resulted in a shot from Tex that went narrowly wide, a similar move this time resulted in Tex driving the ball wide of the keeper, goal. There were further shots on target from Joe and Bill and a couple of narrow misses from JW and Bill, late in the game JW won the ball in midfield and drifted past 2 defenders one of whom just did enough to disrupt his shot which was still on target. Final score 0 – 0. Thoroughly deserve win which Manager Ian described as “the best walking football performance he has ever seen”, however his screams of “keep the ball” that he kept repeating towards the end of the game were still ringing in the ears of players and spectators alike
Third Game Tameside Striders. Subs Joe and Dave
Relics: 4 shots all on target. Tameside: 1 shot on target. Final Score 0 – 0
Carry on where you left off was very much the theme as the Relics once again dominated the game from the start to the finish restricting the opposition to just one shot on target that was well saved by Eddy. There was crisp passing to feet, excellent movement off the ball and clever defending when needed. There was an early shot from JW saved by the keeper, then a pass from JW found JoMo whose shot on target was saved. The highlight of the game was probably a pin point pass from defence by Tex to release JoMo who feigned a shot and the keeper dived to his right, JoMo then casually picked his spot in the left hand side of the goal, the keeper somehow managed to extend his leg and save the shot, we were still talking about how excellent the save was well after the match. Relics still found time to pick out Bob whose shot was again saved. Final score 0 – 0. Some excellent play, the Relics deserved to win.
Fourth Game Rochdale Strollers. Subs JW and Tex (Tex for Bill)
Relics: 2 shots none on target. Rochdale : 4 shots all on target. Final Score 0 – 0
Rochdale proved to be trickier opponents and maybe the Relics were tiring a little as this proved to be much tighter than the previous three games. Rochdale restricted the Relics to just one shot on target by Bill and one wide from JoMo. There was some very good defending against a dangerous Rochdale attacker who held the ball well and created a couple of chances for himself that were well covered by Eddy, both teams worked hard and passed the ball well, Final score 0 – 0, a fair result against a good Rochdale side
Full marks to the players, unbeaten and four clean sheets, added bonus was great to see JW back.
Manager Ian’s summing up “A fantastic session today, some inspired football and only two unbelievable saves away from ten points”.
Supporters and officials on the day, KeithS, Pat, KenB and TonyP. Report by NevK
Bury Relics 