NCAL Over 70s - league Table

Overview

The start of the 2026 NCLA Over 70’s got underway with 7 teams from the region entering the league, namely Bradford City, Doncaster Dynamos, Harrogate Strays, Leeds, Leggy Mambos, Wakefield Reds and Wakefield Purples. All very tough competition, with last season’s title winners deservedly being Leggy Mambos, the Strays intent for 2026 was to improve further, having lost out on runners up in 2025 by a single point. New playing rules, introduced for 2026, having a stringent game changing effect, the penalty count will certainly increase for all teams this season.

Game 1: Strays 6 – 0 Leeds
The season’s opening game showed both teams playing cautiously. The new ruling penalised Strays within minutes, chalking up 2 early infringements. The rhythm of the game was poor, with neither side playing to its strengths resulting in a 0-0 half time. At the re-start Derek Rowe re-organised the shape to an attacking 1-3-1, the players gave their heads a shake and we were off at pace with a marked uptick in play resulting in a goal fest. On his debut, Mark Speight bagged 3, Colin 2 (narrowly missing his hat trick with a saved penalty) and Paddy 1, to start our campaign off in the way intended. 

Game 2: Strays 3 – 1 Wakefield Purples
Deservedly so, the same team started the 2nd Game. Wakefield have always been stiff opposition and so it proved in a tight opening, with Paddy nicking the first goal for Strays, quickly followed by Colin to end the half at 2-0 up. At the resumption Wakefield pressed hard resulting in a great goal to get back in the game. With Strays on 3 infringements, the team was walking a tightrope, but Paddy relieved the pressure by picking the ball up in midfield to slot a wonderful strike into the bottom corner to settle the team. Good game management got the job done chalking up a second, hard fought win.

Game 3: Strays 1 – 1 Bradford
This fixture, against our nemesis, is always a ding-dong. Bradford City are a very difficult side to overcome, so a change in shape and thrust meant Colin coming off for Derek Rowe. At the off both teams were at it, with Strays predominant, edging the lead through Mark Speight for 1-0 at half time. At the resumption, our infringement count resulted in a Bradford penalty which Alan Stockdill duly despatched (with a wry grin) past Steve. That re-set our count which reverted the pressure on Bradford and with 2 minutes left Strays got a penalty. Despite Paddy’s best efforts, the Bradford keeper made an outstanding save resulting in honours even.

Game 4: Strays 5 – 1 Doncaster
We had to recover in order to gain momentum due to other results around us. Mark Speight came off with Colin replacing him as we went to a 1-1–3 to form a 3 man attack. That said Doncaster were giving it a right go and unsettling the Strays. The first goal for Strays came from Colin, followed by a strike from Derek Rowe to end the half at 2-0, and at the resumption Paddy dinked a third. Doncaster latched on to a rare defensive error to get a great goal resulting in the Strays piling on the pressure with a further goal from Colin and a good passage of play from Steve in goal for Mike to smack home the fifth. 

Game 5: Strays 2 – 1 Leggy Mambos
For the final game Leggy Mambos were on fire following 4 straight wins, the lively Alan Davies giving Dave Sparrow a game, the break came with a thunderous strike from Alan that Steve had no chance of stopping, that said, this is a forged Strays 70’s that sticks to its game plan. Within 2 minutes Derek Rowe struck an unstoppable goal then, through a melee of players, Derek slotted the ball to Mark Speight to take a 2-1 lead at half time. At the resumption the game got unnecessarily feisty resulting in blue cards to a player from each side. this then escalated, resulting in reds. This was unfamiliar territory for the Strays who have never had a 70s player dismissed for a red in a competitive game, at the resumption the Strays were awarded a penalty for further infringements that was unfortunately not converted by Derek. The team then played down the clock through keeping possession, resulting in a very rare win against Mambos.

Manager Reaction
Derek Rowe: “It’s clear the Strays continue to improve and the captaincy of Mike Pyle is maintaining good team spirit. Holding and defeating the two strongest sides in this league is real progress, and consistency is now key - but so is discipline on and off the field, we hope to never see a repeat of red cards from any WF player in our community going forward.”
 

Conclusion

It was great to resume our Walking Football amongst a great set of league players from the region, and continuing our progression with hard earned wins as a result of high team morale. Strengthening our side as we progress, we hope for a good season. We go again in a regional friendly against a superb East Riding Rangders on 21st January, closely followed by Round 2 of the NCLA on 4th February, with an exciting debut in the Greater Manchester Walking Football League in late March.

Positively, it's great to report that at today’s conclusion Strays sit proudly top of the League with 13 Points from 4 wins and a draw, scoring 17 and only conceding 4. A great start, long may this form continue!

The Strays squad today was – Steve Simpson (GK), Dave Sparrow, Mike Pyle (C), Paddy Keightley, Derek Rowe, Colin Stringfellow, Mark Speight