President Keiran’s Summary of 2023. A view from the Top

A Very Happy New Year to Everyone.

After a very strong previous year for Bury Relics in 2022 the New Year began well with a superb presentation evening at Radcliffe Borough on 27th January 2023.
This was in some ways a false dawn as on 22nd February 2023 we sadly lost a very respected and admired member of the Relics family, Jerry Shuttleworth a key player in our successful over 70’s squad. Jerry played a big part in our over 70’s successes in 2022 and is sadly missed by us all.

This was in some ways a false dawn as on 22nd February 2023 we sadly lost a very respected and admired member of the Relics family, Jerry Shuttleworth a key player in our successful over 70’s squad. Jerry played a big part in our over 70’s successes in 2022 and is sadly missed by us all.

The spring season in the GMWF league was disappointing by Relics expected standards with only our over 65’s getting runners up and the only trophy for our cabinet.

The autumn season was a little better With the over 60’s Stripes who had shown a lot of potential getting a much deserved runners up along with the 70’s who despite injuries and absences also managed a runners up trophy.

For me the other stand out from 2023 is that we now have two England players in the Relics squads. Along with Keith Bibby carrying on with his England Parkinson’s team duties Terence O’Rourke, our over 70’s Skipper, has played for the England over 70’s team and gained his first Cap in Dublin. Well done to you both, the Relics family are very proud of what you’re achieving

Also congratulations to Relics member Ian McKinnon who has successfully passed the GMWF league referees course and he is now able to referee league games (when not playing for the Relics of course)

I would like to close by saying a big thank you to all your committee members who work tirelessly mostly behind the scenes on behalf of Bury Relics.

Lastly to all Relics players and families thank you for being part of the Relics who will hopefully continue to grow in the same manor, supporting each other on the journey.

Yours in Sport, Keiran Tilley, President, Bury Relics Walking Football.

GMWFL Autumn 2023 – over 60’s Stripes finish runners up

Cold weather was the conditions welcoming the Stripes to the Heywood Sports Coliseum. There was a buzz excitement around the team and supporters, as it was possible, with a spotless performance, for Bury Stripes to win the league and promotion. They sat 4 points behind leaders Ribble. However, in contrast and with a bad day, the Stripes could also finish bottom of the pack. The first game up for the Stripes was the team sitting in third, Wakefield, who were four points adrift in third.

Bury Relics Over 60’s Stripes versus Wakefield Wanderers Whites
To watch extended highlights of this game, first-half and second-half.

Selected highlights that includes the goal scored by Wakefield, click-here.
Final Result; Bury Relics Over 60’s Stripes 0 – 1 Wakefield Wanderers Whites


Bury Relics Over 60’s Stripes versus Bolton Arena
To watch extended highlights of this game, first-half and second-half.

Selected highlights that includes the penalty scored by Bolton and the equalizing goal scored by Bury’s Andy van R via a 7 pass Relics move, click-here.
Final Result; Bury Relics Over 60’s Stripes 1 – 1 Bolton Arena


Bury Relics Over 60’s Stripes versus Ribble Valley WFC
To watch extended highlights of this game, first-half and second-half.

Selected highlights of the best moments in this draw, click-here.
Final Result; Bury Relics Over 60’s Stripes 0 – 0 Ribble Valley WFC

The league wheeled out an abacus and scratched their chins for a while, and…… it was official, Bury Relics Stripes had managed to finish runners up by a superior goal difference. Congratulations Stripes, that is a great result and steady progress. There is a good spirit around this team and on the day, played really well against Bolton and Ribble. Against Wakefield, it was Eddy’s amazing form that kept Relics in contention with a series of good saves. “Mitoma” Mike B nearly scored a great goal by tip-toing past 4 of the champions Ribble team (made them look like Chumpions) and just for the goalie to save his shot. Motherwell Ian’s strategy of getting into an argument to gain open position was brilliant, and again his shot was saved. Andy van R’s supreme confidence of playing his penalty against a post on purpose, which was really a pass-back to Mark T. He started the goal-scoring move of 7 passes, culminating in Motherwell Ian laying on a pass for the waiting Andy to shuffle his feet and score with a low finish. Great move and goal. The comedy moment has to go to the Bolton defender who when diving to the floor, had to somehow do some Twister contortions to prevent any part of his body from entering the area. All these events are in the videos above. Well-done Stripes; listen to the applause as the captain picks up the trophy (click-here).

Team and management: Eddy (GK), Motherwell Ian (C), Mark T, Mike B, Iain D, Andy van R, Fast Ken B, Nev K and Keith H. Manager Ken B, and staff of Keiren and Keith S. There were loads of supporters and Keith H provided some post team photos. Report Dr. John.  

Photos

GMWFL Autumn 2023 – Over 65’s Relics finish third.

14th December 2023
Final day of the GMWFL Autumn Season for the Relics over 65’s. They started the day in 3rd spot in the league and despite some good performances on the day they couldn’t improve on that position.

Relics 2 – 0 Preston Relics started the day with a dominant performance against Preston. Two goals from Graham Walton, one a penalty, gave the Relics the three points and a ray of hope that we could snatch second place in the league.

Relics 0 – Bolton 2 The second game of the day put the Relics against top of the table Bolton who proved too good for the Reiics. The Relics had a penalty saved early in the game when Grahams shot was partially saved by the keepers legs but he manged to gather the ball before it went over the line.

Relics 1 – Corinthians 0 The Relics were on top for most of the game and deserved the 1 – 0 win, Graham with a penalty following four fouls from Corinthians secured the points.

Relics 0 - Blackpool 0 Last game of the season, and Relics were on top but couldn’t create a lot of chances.

Well played to everyone involved today, Gaz (Gk), Ian McCann, Gerry Luczka, Dave Lutkevitch, Graham Walton, John Wardle, JoMo, Tex, With Graham scoring all three goals today,

For all the GMWFL Autumn 2023 Results and Fixtures click here

GMWFL Autumn 2023 – 60s whites have a bad day but division 1 status retained

Hats and scarfs needed for today, there was a chill in the air, and one side of the pitches was frozen. Someone else was also ice-cool as he was totally unexpectedly put in goal. The regular keeper was a no show, so Pat bravely volunteered to step at the last moment. Graham, the regular striker, was back from Australia and the rest of the team was packed full of walking football talent. The league table, at the start of play, had Bury third, where only a miracle would give Bury a runners up medal. In contrast, there was a definite possibility of relegation, being only 6 points ahead of last placed Corinthians. Kingsmaid were the first opponents and they were fighting to be champions.

Warning; It was a bad day for the Whites.

Kingsmaid versus Bury Relics Whites 60’s
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 2-0 win to Kingsmaid.

Goal: 1-0 to Kingsmaid, to see, click-here.

Goal: 2-0 to Kingsmaid, to see, click-here.
Result; Kingsmaid 2 – 0 Bury Relics Whites 60’s

Bury Relics Whites 60’s vs. Manchester Corinthians Reds
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 1-0 win to Corinthians.

Goal: 1-0 to Corinthians, to see, click-here.

A great Bury move ends in a penalty chance, to see, click-here.
Bury Relics Whites 60’s 0 – 1 Manchester Corinthians Reds

Bury Relics Whites 60’s vs. Fleetwood Town Flyers
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 3-1 win to Fleetwood.

Goal: 1-0 goal to Fleetwood, to see, click-here.

Goal: 2-0 goal to Fleetwood, to see, click-here.

Goal: 2-1, a good goal pulled back by Ian M from Bury, to see click-here.

A penalty chance for Bury to make it 2-2, unlucky, to see, click-here.

Goal: 3-1 to Fleetwood, to see, click-here.
Bury Relics Whites 60’s 1 – 3 Fleetwood Town Flyers

Wakefield Wanderers versus Bury Relics Whites 60’s
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
The final result was a 2-0 win to Wakefield.

Goal: 1-0, a goal to Wakefield, to see, click-here.

Goal: 2-0, a goal to Wakefield, to see, click-here.

An amazing Bury move that nearly ended in goal of the day, click-here.
Result; Wakefield Wanderers 2 – 0 Bury Relics Whites 60’s

This is the pinnacle of the Manchester Walking Football League, and as such, the quality of the strikes and shots on goal are high, either perfectly placed, or with so much power that only a superb save will do to prevent a goal. Pat was not expecting to play and not prepared, so the performance he had in such a top league was brilliant. Here is a video of him stopping goals that could have made the day worse for Bury (click-here). Some of the football and moves that Relics produced were excellent, and with a bit of luck, they could have scored more goals. One positive is that the Whites had done so well in previous fixtures, that the clean sweep of losses today did not matter; their division one status was retained for next season.

Players Pat the Cat (GK), Graham (C), Dave L, Tony G, Keith S, Ian M, Wayne G and Kevin A. Staff: Manager Keiren T. The Relics were well supported and thanks to Kodak Keith H for his usual great photos; Report by Dr. John.

Photos

GMWFL Autumn 2023 – Over 70’s finish runners up.

Unfortunately the match reports from the Relics Roving Reporter have not been received yet. They will be published as soon as possible when received. In the meantime the results are published below. The Relics over 70’s finished runners up in the league

29/11/2023 11:00Blackpool0 v 1Bury Relics
29/11/2023 11:20Bury Relics1 v 1Rochdale
29/11/2023 12:00Manchester Citizens0 v 1Bury Relics
29/11/2023 12:20Bury Relics0 v 1Corinthians

GMWFL Autumn 2023 – Over 60’s Stripes inconsistent

22nd November 2023

Relics 1 Wakefield 2
The Relics performance today matched the inconsistent Heywood weather, blustery, changeable, and unsettled. The Relics started the first game against Wakefield well, with a dominant first half performance and Mike B scoring to put the Relics 1 – 0 up at half time. The second half was a different story as the Relics looked a completely different team, conceding 2 goals to give Wakefield a victory.

Relics 0 Bolton Arena 1
Bolton scored the opening goal early in the first half when a player was unmarked on the right hand side of midfield received a pass and went forward unchallenged and smashed the ball passed Eddy in the Relics goal. The Relics had a good spell towards the end of the game with Ian shooting just wide then having a good chance saved by the Bolton keeper. Ken had a shot that hit the post and went out. Steve had a shot which went just wide and another that was saved and tipped over the bar..

Relics 0 Ribble Valley 0
Relics and Ribble Valley were joint top at the start of the day with Ribble top on goals scored. Relics were getting better as the day went on and were the better team but couldn’t make the superiority count.

Although the results didn’t go the Relics way they were not short of effort, and with nine points up for grabs on the final game day next month all is still to play for, so well done to the squad Edd(gk), Ian McKin; Mark T, Andy Rich, Ken B, Mark B, Iain D, Steve H, Kodak Keith. and management team of Keiran, Keith S, and Sir Pat.

For all the GMWFL Autumn 2023 Results and Fixtures click here

GMWFL Autumn 2023 – Over 65’s still in contention.

16th November 2023
Relics over 65’s had a frustrating day, playing good football but not getting their rewards, hey, but that’s football.


Relics 1 Preston 0
Relics dominated the game but only had one goal to show their dominance. Following some good work from John W in midfield, Ian McCann was free on the right hand edge of the Preston area, his cross-area pass to Keith S was perfect for Keith S to hit a controlled shot past the Preston keeper.

Relics 1 Bolton Arena 1
An early goal from Bolton from a shot from an acute angle on the right hand side of the area surprised everyone when it squeezed in at the near post. Bolton 1 up,
The Relics equalised a short time later.
Ian McC turned and shot from just outside the area, His shot was well saved by the keeper but the ball was rolling back towards Ian on the edge of the box. As the keeper made a desperate lunge to stop the ball going out of the area he was too late, the ball was out of the area as the keeper put his hand on it. Penalty to thr Relics which Ian McC put away confidently to equalise.

Relics 0 Corinthians 1
Corinthians went ahead early in the game as a lose pass was picked up in midfield, the pass to the front edge of the box found the Corinthians player in space, he spun round and his shot gave Gas not chance. This was the cue for Corinthians to give the Relics a lesson on how to keep hold of the ball. It was an excellent demonstration by Corinthians and restricted the Relics from any further chances of note.

Relics 0 Blackpool 0
Relics dominated the game but couldn’t put away any of the many chances that were created. Chances from Ian McC, and John W were tipped wide by the keeper. and Tony G had a good shot saved at the near post. but no goals.

Well played to all the players on the day, Gaz (gk), Pete Shev, Keith S, John W, Ian McCann, Tony G. Ken B, Pat

For all the GMWFL Autumn 2023 Results and Fixtures click here

GMWFL Autumn 2023 – Tough day for Relics over 60’s Whites

3rd November 2023.
No roving reporter was available to cover today’s action so results only, and a comment from Keiran …
Well done to everyone at Heywood today, results weren’t good but the whole team gave everything, we can’t ask for more. Also includes Pat, the team manager on the day, who tried everything he could.

Results
Kingsmaid 1 – Relics 0
Relics 0 – Corinthians 0
Fleetwood 2 – Relics 0
Relics 0 – Wakefield 4