ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON FOR BIRMINGHAM OVER 70 WFA LEAGUE TEAM.
After an eventful season, Birmingham Over 70’s were runners up to old rivals Basford United ( formerly Forest Vets ) in the WFA Over 70 Midlands League but took their revenge by claiming victory by 2 goals to 1 on penalties in a keenly contested Final of the Midlands League Cup competition.
Having been runners up in the League during the 2024/25 season, Birmingham were hoping to go one better in 2025/26 and win the league this time around. However, Basford proved to be too strong for anyone and their impressive record of 12 wins and 3 draws from 15 games propelled them to the League title ahead of Birmingham 9 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses ( both against Basford )
However, the League Cup again brought out the best in the Birmingham team. An identical record of 2 wins and 2 draws in the qualifying matches, brought the two teams together for a showdown in the Final.
Birmingham drew first blood after winning the ball just outside their own penalty area . Some excellent passing and movement through midfield found Roger Sutton who calmly passed the ball into the stride of the overlapping Frank Hughes who finished the chance with aplomb to give Birmingham the advantage after 5 minutes play.
This shocked Basford into life. They had one or two chances to equalise but some sterling defending and superb goalkeeping by the ever-dependable Keith Phipps in the Birmingham goal kept them at bay until Basford and England Walking Football International, Graham Collier, found half a yard of space on the edge of the area and made no mistake levelling the scores with 3 minutes left on the watch.
And so to penalties.
Roger Sutton stepped up first and scored for Birmingham.
Basford scored, but this was disallowed for not waiting for the referee’s whistle. Graham Collier inexplicably missed the retake.
Nick Wilkie calmly slotted home for Birmingham low into the corner.
Basford scored high into the roof of the net.
Birmingham’s next penalty was well saved by the Basford keeper with his legs after being sent the wrong way.
So now Basford Golden Boot winner for 2025/26 had a chance to even the scores up. He strode up and placed his shot hard and low toward the bottom corner, but yet again Keith Phipps showed what a great goalkeeper he is by launching himself to his right to, not only save the shot, but gather it up into his arms and bring the Cup back to Solihull for the second year running !!
Scorers
Results: Birmingham 1 v Hartshill 0. Roger Sutton 1
Birmingham 5 v Notts Bramcote. 0 Roger Sutton 2 Bob Compton 1 Brian Follows 1
Birmingham 0 v Basford United 0
Birmingham 0 v Rushall Olympic. 0
Final: Birmingham 1 v Basford United. 1 Frank Hughes 1
Birmingham Win 2 – 1 on Penalties Roger Sutton and Nick Wilkie
