But not every team has received the recognition they deserve.
Stockport County FC – a club that sits seven miles south of Manchester and four tiers below the region’s two top teams – has been hit harder than most by the pandemic.
But they’ve still been doing their bit to help out their local community.
Right at the start of lockdown, The Hatters donated £75,000 at to the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and have since pledged to donate £3 from every purchase of their new 2020/21 shirt to the trust as well.
When the situation is put into perspective, it becomes clear just how significant the contributions from Edgeley Park actually are.
There are plenty of out of contract players in the lower divisions who are at risk of unemployment.
Some football clubs may even go under entirely.
Things will only get worse if fans are not allowed into stadiums next season, with many teams relying on ticket sales to keep their clubs running.
That’s why a side in Stockport’s position, making donations in the current climate, is worthy of applause.
Of course, County know what it’s like to go through financial difficulties.
The club struggled throughout the 2000s, eventually being sold in 2005 to the Stockport County Supporter’s Trust for just £1.
The club were later placed into administration in 2009 as their situation failed to improve.
The financial troubles eventually spilled over onto the pitch, with the club sliding down the leagues until they dropped out of the football league entirely in 2011/12 for the first time in their history.
We are excited to kick-off the next chapter at Edgeley Park. Evolved Club badge, kit partnership and a famous Stopfordian celebrating the spirit of the Club. Enjoy the journey. pic.twitter.com/F2AacGkY0u
— Stockport County (at ?) (@StockportCounty) June 1, 2020
Fans nowadays, however, about more positive about the future under new owner, Mark Stott.
David, who runs the supporters group @stockport_fans on Twitter, believes the club will be “fine” during this time and has faith in the new owner to do what’s best for the club:
“Mark Stott has the financial punch to keep this club afloat while being sensible,” David tells The Manc.
“He has laid out plans of what he wants to do and achieve already and has put together a team to keep it that way.
“We can survive.”
It’s perhaps no surprise supporters are happy, given that their owner is a longtime fan of the club and recognises the importance of Stockport County to the town.
Following the takeover back in January, Stott said that he wanted to deepen the club’s “longstanding ties with the local community”, calling Stockport a “unique community club”.
County clearly haven’t forget how the community supported them during their most “arduous” times, and they have been looking to lend a hand wherever possible during the pandemic.
In recent weeks, Stockport have also been putting the spotlight on their local sponsors.
On the club website, you’ll find a series which aims to “highlight the current operations and offerings of [their] club sponsors during these most difficult of times” in order to “return the favour” for all the support the businesses have given them over the years.
Despite the financial improvements over the past few months, fans are still weighing in to help the club in whatever way they can – backed by community group Help the Hatters.
David, a volunteer for Help the Hatters has said the group is all about “getting things done”.
While volunteers primarily provide practical support to help maintain the facilities at Edgeley Park, they’ve also created The Stockport County Museum at the ground – turning an unused space into something useful for the community.
The group has defied its size to make a definite difference over the past decade.
Just last month, they were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – which is the highest award a volunteer group can receive in the UK.
Wikipedia
Following their award, Chief Executive for the Hatters, Johnny Vaughan, said: “Ever since I came to County in January, I have been staggered by the amount of work this relatively small group of volunteers achieves on a weekly basis.
“This accolade is deserved recognition for everything they do and we are delighted that they are being honoured for their incredible efforts.”
Community is at the heart of Stockport County, but above all else, fans just want to get back to watch their team play.
As Russ Johnson, founder of the fans podcast ‘The Scarf Bergara Wore’, aptly summarised: “County fans are so because we go to the games, we walk the streets and we know our club inside out.
“It doesn’t bear thinking about that we cannot have our match days.”
Sport
Kobbie Mainoo asked Manchester United for a loan away – and the club rejected him
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has recently asked for a loan move this season, but his employers have reportedly rejected his request.
The Man United academy graduate and young England midfielder is widely considered one of the brightest prospects in the club, not to mention admired in the Three Lions camp already.
After breaking into the first team under Erik ten Hag (having previously been thrown into senior training by Ole Gunnar Solskjær), he was quickly identified as one of the best players United have in the middle of the park, having also scored a number of important goals in big games.
However, Mainoo has somehow found himself not quite in the starting XI under Ruben Amorim – much to the frustration of many supporters and, unsurprisingly, the player himself – leading the Stockport-born starlet to consider the loan market for game time.
Probably the best case scenario for us if the manager isn’t going to play his best pivot player despite having the easiest midfield in the league to play against…
As reported by The Athletic and multiple outlets, Amorim and the powers that be at Man United have made it clear they do not want to loan him out this summer.
Not only do they have no intention of sanctioning a spell away this season, but the manager and the board have reiterated that they want him to stay and fight for his place.
For any Reds fearing that this could ultimately mean the worst for Mainoo at Old Trafford, fret not; it is said that the 20-year-old has no intention of pursuing a permanent transfer away from his boyhood club.
Put simply, the academy graduate wants to guarantee himself not just more regular game time but crucially first team minutes during these crucial early stages of his development as a footballer – something he’s still not sure he’ll get under the Portuguese head coach.
Nevertheless, the United boss has assured that he wants Mainoo, even if he isn’t quite the right fit for his system at the moment/has more to learn about the role he is being asked to play.
It’s fair to say that the revelations have rocked a good chunk of the fan base, with plenty calling for Mainoo to be dropped straight back into the starting lineup.
However, some are urging patience on all sides. One user on X wrote: “Not starting every week at 20 doesn’t mean you need a loan — it means you need patience. Respect the shirt, fight for the spot. If the bench at United breaks your spirit, good luck making a World Cup squad.”
On the other hand, footballer podcaster Alice Abrahams commented: “The fact that it’s reached a point where Mainoo has asked to leave on loan, because he feels that getting away is the best move for his development is frightening, especially when he offers so many solutions in midfield to a lot of Amorim’s problems, both in build-up and centrally is WORRYING.
“And the fact that Amorim doesn’t see him is an answer to that [problem] is deeply worrying.”
What do you make of the situation with Kobbie Mainoo at the moment, Reds, and while you’re here, what do you make of the Man United manager not watching his side’s historic penalty shootout defeat to League Two Grimsby Town?
Huge new premium indoor golf venue with ‘cutting-edge’ tech to open at Quayside MediaCity
Emily Sergeant
Time to get practicing your swing, as a huge new premium indoor golf venue is opening up over in Salford this autumn.
Founded by a local PGA Professional and spanning a whopping 4,500 sq ft of state-of-the-art space, TeeClub is set to be a revolutionary new venture where cutting-edge technology meets luxurious comfort at the unique waterside destination.
TeeClub will provide a first-of-its-kind premium environment with seven high-tech Trackman simulators, taking players to more than 450 world-famous courses including St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and more.
The new venue is also launching a partnership with sports equipment brand TaylorMade, so golf fans can either bring their own clubs to use on the day, or make use of TaylorMade equipment available if needed.
Resident PGA professionals will offer personalised lessons with AI-driven video analysis when the venue opens later this year, while a dedicated club fitter will make sure every swing is matched with the right equipment.
There’ll also be a club shop stocking TaylorMade gear alongside apparel from Manchester-based brand, Concrete Links Co.
The new venue is designed for both individuals and businesses alike, and will offer exclusive memberships and corporate packages, as well as semi-private bays and interactive gaming modes, making it an ideal place for team-building events or relaxed evenings with friends.
A huge new premium indoor golf venue with ‘cutting-edge’ tech is opening at Quayside MediaCity / Credit: Supplied
There’ll also be bar on site serving coffee, pizzas, snacks, wine, and craft beers.
“Our vision for TeeClub is to create an indoor golf experience that combines the authenticity of the sport with modern luxury,” commented Nick Holmes, who is a PGA Professional and the Director of Golf at TeeClub, ahead of the venue opening this autumn.
“Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn, a corporate group hosting an event, or an experienced golfer, TeeClub will provide the tools, technology, and atmosphere.”
Kate Jackson -
14th July 2020 
