Women's Walking Footballers are runners-up!

 

Maidenhead United Women’s Walking Football secured a magnificent runners-up spot in their first ever season in the Thames Valley Walking Football League last Sunday afternoon. Having established a weekly session at Braywick Leisure Centre eighteen months ago, the Maidenhead United In The Community Women’s Walking Football now meets twice a week – in The Cage at York Road on Monday nights 8pm to 9pm and at Braywick 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Many of the players had never kicked a ball before becoming hooked on the camaraderie and fitness benefits of Walking Football. 

 

Participation grew to the extent that in March 2024 for the first time, MUFC Walking Football fielded a women’s team in the Thames Valley Walking Football League. And after sixteen keenly competed fixtures, United remarkably finished runners up to divisional champions Crystal Palace Reds. On Sunday 2nd June, United drew 1-1 with Woking before a 3-0 reverse to Palace. However in their last two fixtures the secured back to back clean sheets, winning 1-0 against Wycombe before a goalless draw with Denham. The winner against Wycombe was a well-crafted goal, Debbie Cook with a quick kick-in and Lin Wilson – who also scored against Woking – turned, took a touch and placed the ball into the corner of the net. 

 

Supporting the team on the day were players from Maidenhead United Women’s First Team, including Simone O’Brien who util recently was coach of the Walking Footballers. Simone said: “I’m so proud of the ladies. They have been so eager and keen to get a team formed from our very first session and we have done it! Finishing second within their league in such a short amount of time is an amazing achievement and another part of history for Maidenhead United. I’m excited to see what they can achieve next season and honoured to have coached them.” 

 

The triumphant squad – who are hoping that the runners-up spot may be enough for promotion – are Deborah Smirfitt (Captain), Karen Kerr, Áine Moyne, Lin Wilson, Clare Wellar, Lourdes Gonzales, Pauline Nicholls, Sue Sangera, Debbie Cook, Sharon McNulty and Yvonne Longario. 

 

Players of all abilities - particularly newcomers - are welcome to join the twice-weekly sessions at York Road and Braywick and you can contact helen@maidenheadunitedfc.org for more information. 

 

Meanwhile, Maidenhead United Over 60's Men Walking Football were at Bisham for the third round of the league on Sunday 26th May – initially a lovely sunny day until the showers and a subsequent thunderstorm came down. The team were Steve, Mike, Nick, Rob, Chris, Peter and Ian with Graham coming along to cheer the team on. The first game against South Reading was a 1-1 draw with Peter getting the equaliser, a fair result. The next game versus Gerrards Cross was goalless with not many chances for either team. The team then took on Watford in the third game and found themselves 2-0 down in a minute. United showed great resilience in battling back to 2-2 with Peter netting a couple of excellent strikes. Lastly, in a thunderstorm the Magpies faced top of the table Aylesbury who took a 2-0 lead and although Ian put a rebound in it was not enough to avoid defeat. Overall the team have 15 points from 12 games so far.