New leagues kick off as Wales Veterans Football Association sess engagement thrive
The brilliant work of Welsh Sports Association member, Wales Veterans Football Association, has seen the beginnings of two new leagues in south Wales, including the world’s first ever O70s league.
World’s first O70s league gets underway in Cardiff
After many months of planning by the WVFA, the O70 WorkwearSupermarket.com League finally got underway with two matches at Cardiff University Fields.
Barry Town, with 78-year-olds Frank Lennon and Joe Quarini as well as World Cup-winning captain Phil Gibb in the squad, defeated a much-fancied Newport side 2-0. Geoff Malvisi headed home a Peterson cross, and Jimmy Mullen slid home after good work by his former Cardiff City teammate, Roger Gibbins.
In the other game, Penybont recorded an emphatic 4-0 win against Swansea with a brace from Paul Williams alongside goals from Dai Veasey and Bob Nelson; talismanic World Cup-winning striker, Peter Morgan, turned provider for the day.
WVFA Commercial Manger, Jon Ross, commented afterwards:
“All the hard work has been worth it and these guys are an inspiration for anyone who loves the game, including those playing in the O40s Leagues, who in 30 years’ time could be playing in the O70s league!”
Wales Veterans’ Women’s League kicks-off at Pencoed College
The WVFA was also delighted to see their Veterans’ Women’s League finally get underway in late November at Pencoed College, with almost 60 women, from 35 to 55, taking part.
After the first round of three games, Cardiff Academicals Women leapt to the top of the Women’s O35 WorkwearSupermarket.com table with an impressive 100% record. They defeated Penybont 2-0 in the first game, with goals from Mcloughlin and Anderson, and then secured a 2-0 win against Llanelli-based Evan & Williams FC, courtesy of strikes from by Bartlett and Tannetta, before beating Rhondda’s Cambrian United 3-0 thanks to a brace from Anderson and Mcloughlin again on target.
In the other games, Evan & Williams, under the management of former Wales legend Terry Boyle, beat Cambrian United 1-0 through a Leanne Williams penalty, while Penybont took three points against the Rhondda club by a single goal from Steph Edmunds.
The final match of the day between Evan & Williams and Penybont finished all square, with Cath Jones and Murray on target for the Llanelli outfit and Boyce and Harris replying for Penybont.
The Wales Veterans FA Chairman, Alun Huish, was impressed by the commitment and skill levels saying:
“There was some excellent football on show and everyone played with a smile on their faces.
“The benefits to physical and mental well-being,” he continued, “are widely recorded, and we are convinced the game will grow in popularity over the coming months.”
If anyone is interested in playing veterans’ football, please email [email protected]
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