Sunday 3rd Sept 2023 The Relics were one of 12 teams competing in this year’s Greater Manchester Walking Football League (GMWFL) Martin Dawson Memorial Trophy. Eight teams came from the GMWFL with four teams coming from outside the area, Blackburn, Grimsby, Leeds Titans and Leeds Morley
The teams were split into two leagues of six with the top team in each group qualifying for the Trophy Final, and second place in each group qualifying for the Plate Final.
The Relics finished 4th in a tough group A with 6 points (W2, L3) so failed to progress to the finals.
Well played to all the Relics players Eddie (GK), Graham W, Keith S, Tony G, Dave Lutk, Pete Shev, Iain McK and Manager Ken B.
We are delighted to publish that Ian McKinnon has passed the Walking Football Association (WFA) Club Referee course and becomes the first Bury Relics Club Referee.
Following classroom tuition, and practical sessions refereeing club training games Ian has become a qualified WFA referee.
Please note the Greater Manchester Walking Football League (GMFL) Autumn 2023 season starts in September. Some per-season friendlies have been arrange, details below. Please make a note in your diaries and keep an eye on the WhatsApp group for updated information.
Over the weekend of 8th / 9th July, Relics player Graham Walton (back row, 3rd from left in photo) represented the Walking Football Association (WFA) North West region in a walking football tournament played at Coventry.
The North West team won the competition on goal difference.
Congratulations to Graham from everyone at the Reiics. Well done.
Congratulations to Relics over 70’s captain Tex O’Rourke on making his debut for the England Walking Football Community (EWFC) over 70’s walking football team.
Following his selection to the England squad in Feb 2023, Tex made his debut at Dublin on 8th July 2023 in an international tournament featuring England, Ireland, Italy and France. The games were played over both days of the weekend on Sat 8th July and Sunday 9th July.
On Saturday 8th July England beat Ireland 4-3, Italy 3-1, and France 3-1 On Sunday 9th July England beat France 4-1 and Italy 6-1. With Tex scoring his first goal for England by scoring the first Goal against France.
Matches played on the 28th of June 2023. A herd of blue and white striped Zebras had turned up for the final set of Spring league fixtures, with a whopping squad of 9 players. Additionally, some off duty Relics players and their family members had turned out to watch how the Stripes got on. The league thanked everyone for playing the league, in case they were not attending the banquet and award ceremony afterwards, and the first team up for the Relics were Wakefield.
Bury Relics Stripes vs. Wakefield Wanderers Whites To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 1-0 Bury win.
Goal: 1-0 to Bury; The Stripes win a corner, and after a couple of passes, it’s pinball time as Wakefield try and get the ball away. In the melee, Motherwell Ian gets a deft back-heel touch on the ball, which gives just enough space for Mike B to guide the ball high into the net before a defender can get a block in. Click-here. Result, Bury Relics over 60’s Stripes 1 – 0 Wakefield Wanderers Whites
Bury Relics over 60’s Stripes versus Roach Dynamos To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 0-0 draw.
Goal: no goals in this game but a blue card for a Relics trip and a red card for the retaliating Roach player; Roach played most of the second half a man light. Result, Bury Relics over 60’s Stripes 0 – 0 Roach Dynamos
Bury Relics over 60’s Stripes versus Ribble Valley WFC To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 0-0 draw.
Goal: no goals in this game. Eddy “The Eagle” (Copyright Mark T) had a busy game, and to see his best saves as well as his last minute point saving penalty save, click-here. Result, Bury Relics over 60’s Stripes 0 – 0 Ribble Valley WFC
The statistics show that despite finishing bottom of the league, Bury Relics over 60 Stripes are on an upward trajectory; their play has improved over the course of the season, and as a consequence, their results have improved too. Plus, there is a great team spirit around this team and manager, ergo the Stripes are looking forward to next season with optimism. The Bury Relics Stripes squad: Eddy “The Eagle” (GK), Andy R (C), Mark T, Motherwell Ian, Watford Mark, Mike B, Nev K, Fast Ken B and Steve H. Team management and staff: Ken Bug and Sir Pat. Several supporters included David and his grandson. Report by Dr. John.
15th Jun 2023 Bury Relics Over 65’s finished their Greater Manchester Division 1 Walking Football league campaign on a roasting warm day in Heywood. The squad was Gaz (GK), Tony (Centre Back), Tex (Right Half), Alan (Left Half), Pete Shev (Centre Midfield) and Graham (Centre Forward) with Keith both Manager / unused sub and 2 Cats, Pat & Eddy, also in attendance. A great final day resulted in 2 wins and 2 draws which was a fantastic return considering that both playmakers, Woggy and JoMo, were unavailable.
First up were league leaders Kingsmaid, who sat top of the league on 24 points with Relics on 20 points in second. A win for us would have been ideal to start to claw back the deficit and Kingsmaid knew that it was a must not lose game for them. Kingsmaid played it cagey from the start, keeping possession, using the keeper and leaving nothing to chance with a strict no foul policy. Their out ball was up to the lone striker for him to try and turn and shoot but Tony marshalled him superbly and no chances resulted from it. Due to the intense heat the 15 minute matches were split by a water break which was taken after 8 minutes of play which had only seen 1 shot from either team – a good attempt by Graham. On resumption of play not only were we rehydrated but also revitalised and started extremely well. Graham cut out a loose pass and hit a low, bobbling shot which spun up off the keeper’s outstretched leg, came down, bounced and the back spin was taking it in just under the bar… but the goalie did magnificently to get up off the floor, reach back and up and tip it over. Definitely the best save I have seen this season. Next up was Kingsmaid’s only decent chance of the match where a left wing move saw their player with a clear shot but he blasted it high, wide and handsome. After that we threw the kitchen sink at them for the last 5 minutes as we pressed for the winner as they defended for their lives. We created 3 chances for Graham with good moves, he got off strong shots each time but they just didn’t quite have enough on them to score. 0-0 but we played excellently, especially, defensively.
Straight into the second game still 4 points behind, against Corinthians who were in relegation danger. We started extremely strongly with real intent to win. We were hitting Graham’s feet and he came close 3 times but Corinthian’s Wai had 2 shots on the turn both into the side netting which kept us honest. Then from nowhere Graham picked up a misplaced pass and placed it superbly into the net. The ref promptly called the water break before the restart. Again we sprinted out the traps and almost immediately Pete whizzed a pearler past the right hand post with their keeper rooted to the spot. Graham had 2 shots, the second of which drew a great diving save to his right. However, Corinthians were not lying down and Stewart hit a tremendous shot which Gaz turned round his left hand post for a corner – the only time his gloves were stung all day. This was literally a warning shot to our 1-0 lead and we saw out the last 2 minutes with some neat possession football. Another great performance gaining us 3 vital points as Kingsmaid lost to Bolton Arena and we were now only 1 point behind. The chase was on!
We now went into our 20 minute break before our usual Match 3 v Preston. We did everything right in the break, took on water, rested, great analysis of our previous matches against Preston, the players had played well in our first 2 games and were confident of the win that was required. We were ready for a …………. DAMP SQUIB!
We started so slowly and didn’t have a shot before the water break. During the break Graham tried to rally the troops and we did improve slightly with 2 shots before the end but the best chance by far fell to the Preston centre forward who was left completely on his own as we pushed forward in search of a winner. Fortunately for us he blasted it off the bar and it rebounded back to the half way line. 0-0 at the end and with Kingsmaid beating Corinthians the lead was stretched back out to 3 points. Much post game discussion took place about why we had played so well in the first 2 games and so poorly in this match. For me the credit goes to Preston and the way that they play which frustrates and contains us. Their season stats tell a story of played 16 with 11 0-0 draws (including 3 out of 4 matches with us). They scored 2 goals; a 1-0 victory and 1-1 draw against Corinthians which was enough to keep them up and send Corinthians down. Kingsmaid then played their last match before us, drawing 0-0 with Preston (Surprise, Surprise!) which put them 4 points ahead thereby clinching the league title.
Onto our final match of the season against Bolton Arena who had secured third place in the league with 2 wins and a draw in their first 3 games, a dead rubber said some, but pride was at stake between the 2 top performers of the day. As we were running late the ref cut the time to 10 minutes with no water break so Keith called for a high intensity showstopper to bring the curtain down on the season. Wow, the players did not disappoint as they threw the shackles off and in a magnificent display of attacking football totally dominated a very good Bolton team. Pete had already shaved the post after a great pass from Graham before a brilliant 5 man move starting with Alan outside our D on the right moving it forward to Tony in the middle who stroked it to the overlapping Tex on the left, he cut it inside to Pete who set up Graham for a superb opener. We then rained shots in from everyone after free flowing football, with Gaz a bystander, even Tony trying to chip their keeper at one point! Eventually, Graham finished it off with his second cracker. 2-0 and another 3 points which saw us finish runners-up; 1 point behind.
A truly great performance by 6 players, who worked their socks off, with no subs in temperatures that made my pen sweat. We were magic in 3 games and tragic in 1 but that is why we all love the inexact science of football. I have huge admiration for the way that the players approached the final match, they could have thrown in the towel and not played in the searing heat, but they did the Relics proud and produced a fabulous finale of wonderful walking football.
Thanks to the League for a scrumptious buffet and Presentation afterwards.
Matches played on the 7th of June 2023. The final set of fixtures of the Spring league had finally come around, and Bury Relics over 70’s were currently sitting in second position in the league, 3 points behind leaders Blackpool but only just ahead of Corinthians. However, the odds were stacked against the Relics to win the league as several regular key players were missing from the squad. The first game was against the Champions elect, Blackpool.
Blackpool FC SS 70’s versus Bury Relics Over 70’s To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
Goal: 1-0 to Blackpool. From a free-kick to Blackpool in the final moments, a sucker punch goal! A low shot is hit through a crowd of players, which grazes a spurious knee on its way to goal. No chance of Eddy saving it as the ball skims the left-hand post and in, (click-here). Result; Blackpool FC SS 70’s 1 – 0 Bury Relics Over 70’s
Bury Relics Over 70’s versus Tameside Striders Blues 70’s To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 0-0 draw. Goal: no goals in this game. Result; Bury Relics Over 70’s 0 – 0 Tameside Striders Blues 70’s
Manchester Corinthians 70’s versus Bury Relics Over 70’s To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
Goal: 1-0 to Corinthians; a stray Bury pass in midfield leads to an opportunity for the Corinthians striker, who hits it powerfully over a diving Eddy, (click-here).
Goal: 2-0 to Corinthians; a slick, multi-pass move from the Corinthians results in a good finish high into the net, (click-here). Result; Manchester Corinthians 70’s 2 – 0 Bury Relics Over 70’s
Rochdale AFC Strollers 70’s versus Bury Relics Over 70’s To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
Goal: 1-0 to Rochdale; probably a harsh decision as a Bury defender was adjudged to have fouled the Rochdale attacker from behind, apparently denying him a goal-scoring opportunity. However, on the video, you can see another Bury defender has the chance of defending the attack from the front. In any case, the ref decided it’s a Blue-card and a penalty to Rochdale, which is scored, (Click-here). Rochdale AFC Strollers 70’s 1 – 0 Bury Relics Over 70’s
Bury Relics finished third in the end, after collecting a solitary point from the final days fixtures. Bury did make some good passing moves during the games but struggled to make any clear goal scoring opportunities and did not defend as well as usual. Team for the day was Eddy (GK), Tex (C), Dave M, Tony P, Sir Pat, Keiren and Keith B, with Keith S as manager. Report by Dr. John and pictures by Kodak Keith H.
The Relics entertained Northern Lights, Parkinson’s Disease, Blackburn (NLPDB), (a team made up of players with Parkinson’s Disease) who where preparing for the Ray Kennedy Shield, an international walking football tournament that is taking place in Liverpool on Sunday 25th June 2023 at Liverpool County FA. The games took place at Radcliff FC’s Neuven Stadium.
The games were played in a great spirit, NLPDB drew with Relics Stripes 0 – 0 in the first game. The next game saw the Relics Bibs beat NLPDB 3 – 0. The final game was made up of two teams of mixed players from each side, Shirts and Bibs, and ended up 2 – 0 to the Bibs
Everybody enjoyed sandwiches and a brew in the Radcliffe FC club house afterwards.
Massive THANK YOU to Radcliffe FC for the use of the facilities which was appreciated by al the players. Thanks also to the referees and to all the players.
More on the Ray Kennedy Cup and Shield can be found here. More on Northern Lights PD here.
1st June 2023 The last game day (4 matches) of the Greater Manchester Walking Football League (GMWFL) Spring 2023 season for the Relics over 60’s Whites had the usual drama and controversy. The Relics started the final day in second spot in the table, one point behind leaders Club Kingsmaid, and on level points, but better goal difference, than third place Wakefield Wanderers. So, a three way fight for the title was about to unfold …
The first game was the usual high quality game against Kingsmaid, with General Gaz in the Relics goal being called into early action with three good saves. Kingsmaid alo had a shot that hit the post. At the other end Gordon was closed down on the edge of the Kingsmaid are and couldn’t get his shot away. Another Kingsmaid attack, an another shot off the Relics post. A tight move for Kingsmaid on the edge of the Relics area resulted in a Relics player straying into the area for a penalty to Kingsmaid. The penalty was well struck low into Gaz’s bottom right hand corner and in off the post. 1 – 0 to Kingsmaid. Kingsmaid were soon on top again with a shot well saved by Gaz, and another shot that wa high. Relics finally had a shot in the last seconds that went wide. Final Score Kingsmaid 1 – 0 Relics
Corinthians up next in what was a niggly game with lots of disputed decisions. Relics were on top for most of this game but couldn’t make the dominance pay with goals. Ian had a hat trick of attempts, he waltzed down the pitch but his shot was wide, another shot hit the bar and went over, and a great shot was saved. Dog had his attempts too with a number of shots saved by the Corinthians keeper. Relics dominated but only came away with a point. Final Score Corinthians 0 – 0 Relics
Relics need a win against bottom club Rochdale in order to stay in contention for second spot. Relics started brightly and a Graham back heel went to Ian who shot wide to the right. Dog had a great chance but the keeper saved with his feet as he diced the wrong way. Ian linked up well with Graham his shot just going outside the right hand post. Ian was also involved in the next chance when he went forward with the ball from the Relics half and passed to Dog on the right hand side of the Rochdale box and with a very calm and composed finish slotted the ball over the floundering Rochdale keeper. Relics 1 – 0. Ian and Dog combined again a few minutes later. Ian’s pass to Dog, who this time was on the left and side of the area, his chip this time was saved by the keeper, but the ball went back to Dog who chipped the keeper again into the far side of the goal. Two super calm and composed finishes from Dog in a matter of minutes. Relics 2 – 0 Final score Relics 2 – 0 Rochdale
Down to the last game, Relics v Wakefield. Both teams have four points on te day so Relics holding on to second spot on goal difference. Relics seem to have run out of steam, Wakefield were on top most of the game and went ahead with a shot from the edge of the box high into the net. 1 – 0 to Wakefield. Relics replied with shots from Kev, and an agonising close effort from Dog that hit the inside of the right hand post and sped across the front of goal, and just as the Relics fans on the side line expected the ball to settle in the left hand corner of the net, the ball went agonisingly across the front of goal and out of play. So close. Lady Luck deserted the Relics again a few minutes later when a shot hit Gaz’s right hand post, but as he dived, the ball hit his back and rolled into the Relics net. 2 – 0 to Wakefield. Final score Relics 0 – Wakefield 2
A frustrating day for the Relics, losing second spot in the table in the final game. Well played everybody in the team, they never gave up. Gaz (gk), Ian McCann, Kev Amos, Gordon (Dog) Arkwright, Graham, Tony G, Keith S, and Manager Ken Buggie. Thanks to Kodak Keith Hayes for the photo’s
Bury Relics 