Bramley Walking Football Report
Its Friday morning, its 10am, the sun was blazing down on the Bramley Arena, (aka Black Lion Fields), and Bramley Walking Wanderers were once again out in force.
Some notable absentees were Martin and Val, sunning themselves in Morocco after having used their own 50thwedding anniversary as an opportunity to raise hundreds of pounds for the Rob Burrows charity …pure class.
And excitement was running high at the prospect of some celebrity players joining us, Rachel Reeves, shadow Chancellor, and Kevin Ritchie, Bramley local councilor, making a mockery of the old adage that sport and politics don’t mix.
Kevin was flush from having just retained his seat in the local elections, increasing his majority and dispelling another myth, i.e. sometimes the good guys DO win. As for Rachel, well her office was adamant we keep politics out of this, so any reference to her opposite number Rishi ‘we are all in this together’ Sunak making it onto the Sunday times rich list, forking out £12,000 to heat his swimming pool whilst failing to collect taxes even from his own multi billionaire wife, shall go unsaid.
Onto the football, and it was the men versus the women, a grudge match if ever there was one. The men were bolstered by new signing Keith ’ave it’ Fenton’, originally from Portsmouth which was roughly where most of his shots ended up. Trevor, the James Millner of the Bramley walking wanderers, never misses a match, never lets you down, covered every blade of grass. Little John, a man who just lives to defend (well, when not on an all expenses paid Bramley Elderly day trip to some resort or other) was a rock. Big John, so called because he is slightly bigger than the aforementioned Little John, was his usual superb self in goals. Steve in midfield, with the proverbial wand of a left foot, never mislaid a pass and Gordon played a blinder despite disobeying just about every rule of walking football..a rebel with a cause! Councillor Ritchie did manage the odd incisive pass but was strangely reluctant to go anywhere near the right wing.
For all that they were up against a class outfit. Rachel fitted seamlessly into the Wanderers midfield, what she lacked in technique she made up for in sheer determination, willpower, and endeavour (which was just as well because said lack of technique took some making up for). Dolores was the sergeant major, barking instructions in that inimitable (and very hard to ignore) Belfast accent, keeping everyone on their toes. Sue’s positional sense and hold up play was nothing short of exemplary, Joy tirelessly and selflessly ran the ‘channels’ whilst Cath was, well, like Rachel, but with technique.
As for the score, 2-1 to the men, although if the VAR had been working on the day, they would have surely have had at least 3 players sent off for a litany of late challenges, dubious walking techniques and shameless time wasting (aka Keith booting it 3 miles down the main road at every available opportunity).
Anyway, its not about the winning. It’s about men and women, average age north of 60, coming together, every week, to prove that you’re never too old to play the beautiful game, and to enjoy the wonderful camaraderie that comes with being part of a joyful team.
See you next Friday, 10am, the Black Lion fields off Broad Lane, just bring your boots/trainers, and a smile!