Grimsby Ancient Mariners Walking Football Club held their annual walking football festival at their Bradley headquarters on Thursday the 15th. September 16. Town entered a team along with eleven other sides from Boston, Stamford, Heanor, Cottingham, Hull, Holland and the host town Grimsby.
The twelve sides were split into two leagues of six with each team playing each other in a seven a side format over twelve minutes on a small sided Astroturf pitch. The top two teams in each league then competed in a cup knockout, the third and fourth teams competed for a plate and the last two teams competed for a shield.
Town won two and drew the other three of their league games scoring seven goals and conceding one which resulted in Town finishing in second place in their league and qualifying for the cup knockout competition. In the semi final of the cup competition Town came up against Heanor Strollers the Derbyshire County FA Walking Football League Champions 2016. Town had much the better of the semi final but could not land the knockout blow and the game finished 0-0. Sadly Town missed their first penalty in a penalty shootout and went out of the competition 2-3. Heanor went on to win the cup competition, again on penalties. Heanor have since gone on to win the a competition organised by Walkingfootballunited.com for all the winners of the County organised FA Walking Football Leagues in England.
It was disappointing to go out of the competition on penalties but the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all the players who looked resplendent in their new kit funded from a Connecting Communities grant provided by East Riding County Council. The team can hold their heads high knowing that they can compete with the best walking football teams in the country.
The club hold a session on the state of the art 3G pitch at the Hornsea School and Language College every Sunday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, all new members will be very welcome. It is a great way to meet new friends, improve your health and get back playing a game that you maybe thought had left you behind. Come down and try it your first session is FREE !!!
