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Vintage Celtic Champions of the St Helens Sports Festival Walking Football Tournament was the outcome of yesterday's efforts by the lads who gave their all in the famous blue shirts. 

The day started badly with a disastrous 0-6 defeat to Wigan A. Caught cold and with lackadaisical marking by Celtic the Wigan side, shooting from all over the pitch, soon took the lead. Although they weren't 6 goals better than Celtic, their excellent shooting soon saw the goals tally rise.

The second game saw Celtic come up against old adversaries City Strollers from Manchester. Now getting their marking and passing together Celtic came out 3-0 winners. Next up was St Helens Beacon C who were dispatched 2-0.
With expectations rising after the initial defeat St Helens B were the next opponents and proved quite tricky but Celtic prevailed and came out 1-0 winners.

It was now played 4, won 3, lost 1. The last game in the league format was played against the well fancied St Helens Beacon A and Celtic were 3-1 winners after a tight start. With the league format now finished, we all waited nervously for the final standings. Celtic played 5, won 4, lost 1 were proclaimed the league winners, much to our surprise as we all thought Wigan A would prevail.

We were all both surprised and delighted with this result and now had the knock out stage to contend with. Celtic were drawn against St Helens Beacon B who were beaten 1-0 in the league. A 3-1 win against the determined St Helens side meant that Celtic were in the final and would meet their conquerors Wigan A.

Wigan must have been confident of winning this final, especially after the previous 6-0 win against Celtic. However this much improved Celtic side were playing it tight at the back and preventing Wigan from having many shooting chances. A great goal from Derek saw Celtic take the lead but with only a couple of minutes to the whistle Wigan found space and equalised.

Extra time saw Colin shoot and take Celtic into the lead. It was a nervous last minute but the Stalybridge side held out to become winners of the St Helens Sports Festival Walking Football Tournament.

Thanks to all the lads who turned out today to make Vintage Celtic Champions, Alan, Colin, Dave, Derek, Graham, Ian and Lee with special mention to the many splendid saves by Ian, the excellent shooting of Colin, in the golden boots borrowed from the manager, and especially Derek's many long range goals. 

Let's not forget the manager, Bill Murney, who surely must be destined for a higher level of football with his tactical nouse and substitutions at critical times....