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Emily Sergeant - 17th April 2020

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A charity match is being held in memory of late footballer Joe Thompson

Danny Jones Joe Thompson charity game 2025

A fundraising match is being held in memory of late footballer and charity champion, Joe Thompson, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

The former Manchester United academy product and Rochdale AFC legend famously faced a long battle with cancer, being sadly diagnosed with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma for the first time back in 2013, being forced into a prolonged period off the pitch and, eventually, early retirement by 2019.

Bath-born Thompson, who also played for Bury at the end of his career, was tragically struck by the illness on three different occasions; after stage four lymphoma spread to his lungs, he sadly died this past April at the age of just 36.

Just the most heartbreaking story, but in honour of Joe’s life, the two clubs closest to his heart and which she shared the strongest connection to are now set to remember him in a special charity game next month.

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A post shared by Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale)

Announcing the game via social media on 26 July, Rochdale AFC confirmed it will be hosting the fundraising friendly between the Greater Manchester National League outfit and Man United’s under-21s.

Writing on the club website, Rochdale said: “Both clubs will come together to remember Joe, who meant so much to both Dale and United, on Saturday, 2 August (3pm kick-off).

“A minute’s applause will take place before kick-off, whilst members of Joe’s family, who will be in attendance, are selecting some of his favourite music to be played in the build-up to the game.

“Shirts from the match will also be auctioned off post-match, with proceeds going to Joey T’s Foundation when integrated.”

Detailing how his boyhood club have recently introduced the official ‘Joe Thompson Award’, presented to players who have the traits of not just a United person but, more importantly, Joe: “resilience, honesty, integrity, humility, innovation and a relentless work ethic, with a focus on the community.”

He was a truly inspiring individual.

Even after hanging up his boots, he kept moving for a good cause.

With all this in mind, Rochdale will be a charity exhibition match against United’s U21s squad – a team of players who are around Joe’s age when he left The Cliff to join Rochdale.

The club went on to add that all future fixtures between the clubs from now on will include a special trophy, with the first being the National League Cup match, which is due to be staged at their Crown Oil Arena home ground on 21 October.

As for this touching and heartfelt fundraising fixture, once again, the game will take place on Saturday, 2 August, kicking off at 3pm.

You can find out more details about the ‘A Game For Joe’ charity match in aid of the Thompson family’s foundation and grab your tickets HERE.

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Featured Images — Rochdale AFC/Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)

What's On

HOME’s family-friendly festival full of free interactive activities returns to Manchester this weekend

Emily Sergeant

A free festival with a lineup packed full of interactive activities, workshops, live music, and more is returning to Manchester this weekend.

Back by popular demand after a successful time in the city last summer, families across Greater Manchester are invited to head on down to the independent arts venue, HOME, this weekend and get stuck into everything from interactive theatre and circus skills workshops, to dance, hands-on crafts, and so much more.

Little HOME festival is set to pop up across two days this weekend, and you can enjoy a vibrant programme full of family-friendly activities.

A family-friendly festival full of free interactive activities is happening in Manchester this weekend / Credit: HOME MCR

A variety of free pop-up performances will be taking place at the spaces in and around HOME throughout the festival, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.

Some of the highlights festivalgoers can expect this weekend include the chance to learn circus skills like juggling, spinning plates and more with the Spectacular Skylight Circus Arts, craft workshops where you make an African mask or decorate a festive party headband, and take part in some fun family dance sessions with Afrocats.

There’ll also be immersive family theatre shows by Byteback Theatre, enchanting campfire tales by The League of Curiosity, and Dhol Drumming workshops by The Bhangra Duet.

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Family-friendly film screenings are also on the agenda, and there’ll be a ‘fresh and fabulous’ take on storytelling with everyone’s favourite pantomime dame, Mama G.

Outdoor walk-about puppetry and cookie decorating round out the events planned.

Little HOME 2025 is taking over HOME this weekend on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August.

All the activities that form part of Little HOME are free to take part in, and you can find more information ahead of the festival next month here.

Featured Image – HOME