Birmingham Walking Football Over-75s Team Wins National Club Competition for the Second-Year Running – or should that be walking?
Seven teams competed for the Over-75s National Cup at Bishops Cleeve on 1 October 2026. The organisers arranged a league format, with each team playing the others in 18-minute matches. The winners would be the team that finished at the top of the resulting league table. Birmingham were the inaugural winners of the national Over-75s competition, held in November 2025, when they fielded a strong squad of eight. Only five members of that team were available in 2026, and the club went into the tournament with a new squad of seven. Could they repeat their success?
Birmingham started well with a 1–0 victory over Exeter, thanks to a rare goal from defender Barry Huntington. Their second game, against Barnet, also ended in a 1–0 win, with Derek Greene scoring a thunderbolt from midfield. Hopes of retaining the cup began to grow after Birmingham defeated Norwich 2–0. Norwich had been a challenging attacking force, with one of their shots rattling the crossbar, but goals from Derek Greene and Bob Johnson secured the victory for Birmingham.
After nearly an hour of play, the tournament entered its final three matches for each team. Birmingham’s first opponents in this section were Abbeymead, whose squad included several players who had recently represented England. Abbeymead proved to be tough opponents and scored first with a disputed goal that deflected off the heel of a Birmingham player. Birmingham responded magnificently, equalising through another Derek Greene thunderbolt that flashed into the back of the net. In their fifth game, Birmingham defeated Bournemouth Coasters relatively comfortably, with Greene again finding the net.
Following this impressive run of results, Birmingham and Kingston remained in contention to win the cup. A draw or victory would be enough for Birmingham to become champions in their final game which was to be with Kingston. Kingston proved worthy opponents and threatened the Birmingham goal several times. After nearly two hours of high-intensity football, both teams were exhausted and relieved to hear the final whistle. None were more delighted than the Birmingham players, who became champions after the final game ended in a 0–0 draw.
With such a small squad of seven, every player deserves special mention. Graham Timms made several excellent saves at critical moments, while he, the ever-reliable Frank Hughes and Barry Huntington combined to marshal a stout and formidable defence. Their effectiveness was demonstrated by the fact that Birmingham conceded only one goal in six games. Player/Manager Keith Phipps kept opposing defences on alert by providing a target in the attacking third of the pitch. Malcolm Thorp was dogged in possession and proved a handful in midfield, while Derek Greene was my player of the tournament. In addition to scoring match-winning goals, Greene was tenacious and competitive throughout every game.
A special mention must go to Bob Johnson. He ended the day as he had started it—as the team’s “go-to” substitute. Uncomplaining and thoroughly supportive, Bob came on at crucial moments and displayed a versatility that belied his years. Ever reliable, it was Bob who broke the deadlock against Norwich, taking his chance with cool aplomb to score Birmingham’s second goal.
Keith Phipps
