A renowned football coach and England scout is celebrating after rolling back the years with his team of veterans by finishing runners-up in a prestigious tournament on Portugal’s Algarve.

Gerry Luczka’s Bolton Nomads were only beaten on penalties by Malaga in the final of the Euro Copa Walking Football Tournament in Albufeira after drawing 0-0.

The 69-year-old was player-manager of the seven-man team alongside former Wanderers and Rochdale manager Keith Hill and son of former Wanderers’ great Freddie Hill, Graham in the over-50s’ category.

The Nomads, made up of ex-Bolton Combination players, beat a Norwich City side including three former England internationals on penalties in the semi-final to reach the final.

Luczka said: “We’re just a group of ex-players and coaches who enjoy a kickabout on Mondays and Fridays at Leverhulme Park in Bolton.

“But it’s unbelievable how big and competitive walking football has become. It’s so serious, it’s untrue.

“We enjoy playing and then sitting down and having a coffee and reminiscing about the great days of the Combination, which was a great league with lots of fine players.”

The team was given a massive boost before their departure when Bolton Wanderers agreed to loan them their kit for the tournament.

“The club were amazing,” said Luczka. “So a big thanks to them.”

The Nomads’ achievement was all the more impressive because they only had eight available players for the tournament, while there were other squads competing with many more.

“We were short of players so we contacted Graham Hill who was on holiday in Portugal at the time and he came to join us, which was fantastic.

Luczka was speaking before travelling with England Under-15s for a match in Spain.