The Stockport County Walking Football Team enjoyed success at the Life Leisure Walking Football Social Tournament this summer.
The Stockport County Walking Football Team were delighted to enter two teams into the over 50’s and over 60’s Life Leisure Walking Football Social Tournament this summer, with their over 60’s team winning their tournament and bringing the trophy back to Edgeley Park!
The 6 aside tournament, hosted by Life Leisure, took place at Stockport Sports Village,
Lambeth Grove in Woodley, Stockport and 10 teams entered the two-league tournament
for the over 50’s and over 60’s.
County’s over 50’s team battled their way through their group stage only to narrowly miss
out on the medals in a very close fought group – but they gave it their very best!
County’s over 60’s team started off slowly in their first group games, losing the first match and then drawing a match against Reddish North End before hitting a running streak that saw them beat Manchester Corinthians and then Life Leisure Dialstone in their last group match. This win helped them qualify for the final where they faced a very worthy opponent in Reddish North End. This was always going to be a closely fought out contest – and so it proved to be!
County took the lead in the early stages and then managed to grab a second with a well-structured build up and goal. Reddish North End, however, were not down and out and came fighting back with gusto! Hitting on the break they snatched one and then at the death with only seconds remaining struck with an equalising goal. This took the match into extra time and the dreaded “Golden Goal”. End to end attacks, goalkeeping brilliance, and sharp shooting pursued and then a quick break saw County with a chance and they didn’t disappoint by clinching the victory!
County Walking Football Managers Adrian Bates and Luke Jones were beaming with delight at the team’s success and Adrian commented: “What a great Social Tournament and a big thank you to Life Leisure for hosting the event which was a fabulous success. We are delighted for the Stockport County Walking Football team in winning their first ever trophy. I know this means a great deal to the players and this success will be a memorable occasion for them all to look back on. The team has grown in confidence and shown fantastic skill and played with such sportsmanship too. Well done to everyone!”
Ian Lees, Chairman of the Community Foundation went on to say: “As an active partner of the County walking football group, it gives me great pleasure in seeing more and more senior men and women, over the age of 50, taking up the opportunity by coming along to our weekly walking football drop-in and getting involved in physical activity and what has become a fantastic social event”.
The Stockport County Walking Football weekly sessions for Men and Women over 50 years take place on Friday mornings 11.00am until 12.00pm at Power League, Craig Road, Stockport, SK4 2AP. If anyone is interested in coming along and joining the group, please contact Adrian Bates at: [email protected]
