"This is massive for our humble club!" Bristol Badgers are O50s regional champions in walking football FA Cup
The South West regional heats of the FA Cup took place at the weekend in Bristol, with both Bristol City and Bristol Badgers finishing the day as champions in their respective age groups. Facing tough competition from the other teams who had qualified through local heats, City faced Plymouth Argyle in the 40s play-off final. Despite the quality on display, neither team could quite find a winner and the game went to penalties. A tense shoot out saw City win 3-2 and progress to the next stage.
Meanwhile in the 50s category, Bristol Badgers were unbeaten in their mini league against Melksham and Plymouth. With the teams playing each other twice, Badgers finished the day top of the group with ten points as regional champions.
Jo Edwards of Bristol Badgers said, “This is massive for our humble club and we are all super chuffed and excited at this turn of events, having gone toe-to-toe with fabulous teams Plymouth and Melksham. So, so, so proud of these women, which included three 60 (year old) plus players”
The over 50s competition is brand new for the current season. Flo Lunn, National Development Officer at the FA, hailed the success of the Walking Football FA Cup and the rapidly growing interest in the women’s game:
"It has been a record-breaking year with over 500 teams entering across the four categories and as our flagship national competition continues to grow. This year’s FA Walking Football Cup has played an important role in driving the growth of the game across the country, with the introduction of the new Women’s 50+ category providing more opportunities than ever for women to take part in the competition. It has been particularly encouraging to see so many new teams entering, highlighting the increasing popularity of women’s walking football and the demand for more competitive playing opportunities. The South West regional final marked the fifth of six events taking place across England, with only the North East still to come before the finalists come together at St George’s Park on 18 October to celebrate the very best of walking football."
Best of luck to the teams heading to the finals next month!
Here are a few photos of the regional heats in Bristol.
Photo credits: Marie Day; Bristol City team from Bristol City Facebook Page; Tracey Uren
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