The Kevin Bird Walking Football Memorial Trophy — A Special Day at One Call Stadium

On a bright morning at the One Call Stadium, 13th May, we proudly hosted The Kevin Bird Walking Football Memorial Trophy, a special event honouring a true Mansfield Town legend.

Kevin Bird was a towering figure in Mansfield Town’s history, making 450 appearances for the club between 1972 and 1983. Known for his commanding presence in defence, Bird was a fans’ favourite and played a key role in some of the club’s most successful years. Sadly, Kevin passed away in 2023 at the age of 70, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of Stags supporters and the wider football community.

As part of keeping that legacy alive, our Walking Football community came together for this memorial tournament — and it was fantastic to see eight teams take to the pitch in the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and respect.

A huge thank you to all the teams who joined us: Nottingham Red, Mansfield Town 'A', Mansfield Town 'B', Wakefield WF, Unity WFC, Doncaster Dynamo, HCSP England, and Gainsborough. Your participation made the day truly special.

The Results

After a brilliant morning of matches, it was Unity WFC who came out on top, finishing the tournament unbeaten with 5 wins and 2 draws, ending with 17 points. They finished 2 points ahead of HCSP England, who pushed them all the way.

Our own Mansfield Town representatives battled hard, with the 'A' team finishing on 10 points and the 'B' team finishing with 4 points — fantastic efforts all round.

The trophy was fittingly presented by Kevin Bird’s wife, Sue, in a heartfelt moment that reminded everyone of the lasting impact Kevin had on both Mansfield Town and the wider community.

A Word from Alan Brookes

Reflecting on the day, Alan Brookes, our Walking Football lead, said: “A big thank you and well done to all the teams that took part in the first Kevin Bird Memorial Tournament — especially HCSP England, who I also play for. Many of their players are recovering from serious health issues, so seeing them compete was inspiring. The day was a resounding success, very well refereed, and it shows what Walking Football is all about. Here at Mansfield Town Community Trust, we run three weekly sessions for all abilities. From beginners looking to improve fitness, to competition players, and those wanting the social side too. Everyone’s welcome — it’s not just about football, but improving physical and mental health in a supportive environment.”

Join Our Walking Football Community

We’re proud to see our Walking Football community continue to grow. If you’re looking to stay active, regain fitness, or enjoy football in a friendly, supportive setting, we’d love to see you at one of our sessions:

• Tuesdays 9:30-10:30am (social session, with tea & coffee in Sandy’s Bar after)

• Thursdays 7:00-8:00pm (competitive focus)

• Saturdays 9:00-10:00am (mixed session)

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Events like this show the true power of sport in bringing people together. Thank you again to everyone who made the day so special.

Enjoy the gallery from the tournament below!