Market Drayton walking footballers stroll to league title
The men’s over-50s side for Market Drayton Town Walking Football Club have won the inaugural Shropshire League after suffering just one defeat all season.
Playing under the name Drayton Rangers, the side managed 11 wins, one draw and one loss throughout the season, as the club secured their first ever trophy.
Manager Dave Rollinson said: “We were delighted to start our campaign with seven straight wins and have kept up the pressure throughout the season. We had a great pool of 14 players who participated in matches with squads of six players and two substitutes.”
Club chair Dave Coogan added: “We are especially proud of this because the trophy has been named The Mick Murphy Memorial Shield in recognition of a man who has contributed so much to football both in Market Drayton and to the wider county for many years in many roles. Mick sadly died earlier this year, but the club received a lot of support from him as we started to compete more widely.”
Drayton Dynamo, the club’s over-60s side also reached the Walking Football Leagues Alliance National Cup Finals. Steve Fox, competition secretary, said: “This was a proud achievement given we were up against the best in the country on finals day. Although we did not have a win in this final stage, we hope it will inspire us in future years.
“We also finished a creditable third in the Staffordshire over 60s league this season.”
The club was formed in 2014 and gives older people a chance to enjoy sport safely and a suitable pace.
They meet twice weekly at the Greenfields sports ground and welcome women from age 40 and men from age 50.
More information can be found by emailing the club on mdtwfc@gmail.com or the website www.mdtwfc.com.
