One of the best parts about Manchester is that it embracespeople from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter your race, colour, creed; sexuality or gender — as long as you’re sound, you’re welcome.
That being said, another big part of what makes this city so special is its rich sporting history and culture, something that continues to run throughout the fabric of communities across Greater Manchester to this day – football, in particular. We love kicking a ball around.
Now, thanks to Manchester Laces – founded in 2021 – people who identify as non-binary/gender-neutral have the perfect place to keep fit, make new friends and enjoy a kickabout.
Starting just over 18 months ago, Manchester Laces now boasts more than 500 participants, many of which are regular members of the five squads set up by the region’s first-ever inclusive women’s and non-binary football team. Quality.
Furthermore, the LGBTQ+ inclusive team set up their own AF (Alternative Football) League, based out of Whalley Range Sports Centre and Cheetwood Sports in Cheetham Hill and playing games all across 0161.
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Set up by Manchester Laces founder Helen Hardy, 40-50-minute games are played at the two venues most Wednesdays from 6-9pm, with matches varying from five and six to seven and 11-a-side.
The team also competes in divisions two and three of the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League, as well as offering pay-as-you-go sessions on Mondays, training at Platt Lane Sports Complex on Thursdays and various games throughout the week thanks to the FA’s Flexi League.
— Manchester Laces 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@ManchesterLaces) October 2, 2022
The success of the club over the past year or so has been incredible, securing sponsors from the likes of the Stadio podcast and global scientific materials manufacturers Avery Dennison for this year.
They couldn’t have topped their meteoric rise any better either, as they also recently went on to win the award for the 2022 National Grassroots Club of the Year. Fully deserved.
As well as appearing on billboards around the city and surrounding communities, their kits for this season are now on show in the National Football Museum, with the Manchester sporting institution recognising the club’s immense dedication towards championing women in football and equality for all.
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You can see visit the ‘Crossing the Line’ exhibition at the museum right now and see how they have recognised the inclusive, community-focused club’s contribution to women’s football and British sport as a whole.
It was a pleasure to welcome some of the @ManchesterLaces squad to the museum yesterday, seeing their contribution to the game reflected in our Crossing the Line exhibition. 🏳️🌈
There is also the South London Laces team, set up in 2016, with both delegations doing their bit to provide a safe, friendly and conducive community space for those looking to keep active and make friends through football.
In fact, the Laces Community Club is made up of four teams total: Limehouse, South London, Manchester and, of course, the Hackney Laces – the original club set up in 2011 by Canadian-born footy coach, Katee Hui, who kicked this whole thing off.
It’s here, and it’s absolute 🔥
Introducing our new Away kit, modelled by your very own South London Laces players. 🤩
The kit is available for pre-order for anyone and everyone through @wearefoudys – follow the link in our bio. Run, don’t walk! You don’t want to miss out. pic.twitter.com/cx2wDD6A5b
With Manchester the first Laces outfit to be established outside of the capital, the organisation now supports nearly 1,000 girls, women and non-binary individuals across the UK. You love to see it.
Moreover, in a year where the footballing narrative is already dominated by a controversial World Cup held in a country that persecutes the LGBTQ+ community and suppresses human rights in general, it’s heartwarming to hear the positive stories of all kinds of people being made to feel welcome.
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Taking in players of all ages and abilities, Manchester Laces and the wider Laces Community is about putting fun first and providing an outlet for people who, sadly, are often marginalised from certain groups and activities like sport, to build a stronger social network of like-minded peers.
Lastly, in a year where we celebrated the Lionesses lifting England’s first trophy in over 50 years, their support for women in sport from amateur level all the way up to professional is admirable, and is no doubt helping garner further interest in female football and its already growing audience.
If you’re interested in giving Manchester Laces a try, you can find out more about how to get involved HERE and you can also help combat inequality by signing their petition for the FA to update their rules on transgender and mixed-gender players.
Louder for those at the back: football is for everyone.
Manchester City finally release special Year of the Horse collection for Lunar celebrations
Danny Jones
Manchester City have officially launched their new ‘Year of the Horse’ kit, along with several other items in their latest lifestyle range.
The collection, which has been released as part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, was leaked online in late 2025 before being officially teased earlier this year, but now Man City have fully unveiled the limited edition clothing items.
It follows the commercial success of their previous Chinese New Year-inspired kits and wider fashion lines over the last few seasons.
For anyone not up to speed on their Zodiac calendar knowledge, 2026 is officially (you guessed it) the year of the horse, hence this choice for the new ‘Capsule Collection’.
“Set in earthy, neutral tones, the limited-edition Year of the Horse Capsule Collection captures both the stillness of vintage Chinese portraiture and the motion of a team in full stride.”
Revolving around a grey and almost beige colour palette, the full drop includes a new pre-match ‘Anthem’ jacket, a dark graphic design tee, a baseball cap, as well as a soft horse plushie.
The focal point, however, is obviously the jersey itself – though it remains to be confirmed whether or not the special seasonal strip will be worn in any games this campaign as other one-off/special limited edition shirts have been in the past.
The price points range from £15 for the soft toy to £90 for the adult shirt, with the aforementioned Puma KING Anthem zip-up jacket already available in six colours.
What do you make of the latest lifestyle collection, Blues?
Somewhat fittingly, the Year of the Horse and other items finally debuted on the same day that their local rivals across the other side of town, Manchester United, released some new threads of their own: the second Adidas x The Stone Roses collection.
As for this years Lunar celebrations, the official plans for here in Manchester city centre have now been revealed. You can find out more down below.
Stockport County confirm signing of new striker Adama Sidibeh
Danny Jones
Stockport County Football Club have officially unveiled the signing of new striker, Adama Sidibeh, from St Johnstone FC.
This comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether or not the deal for the forward was going to be done, despite his medical having already been passed.
Sidibeh was linked with a move from the Scottish Premiership quite early in the January transfer window, and the transfer fee had already reportedly been agreed, but there was apparently to be some contention over personal terms.
However, it seems the impasse has now been overcome and a full agreement reached, with the Hatters finally announcing the completion of his deal on Tuesday, 27 January.
As you can see, the Gambian international is no stranger to England nor the North West, having moved back to the UK to be with his family in 2022, before going on to join local Stockport club Cheadle Heath Nomads in 2022.
Moving on to nearby Cheshire outfit Warrington Rylands FC the following season, he continued to prove himself as a quick and consistent goal threat, ultimately sealing a switch to The Saints in 2024.
Sidibeh’s transfer fee from St Johnstone to SCFC remains undisclosed.
Penning a two-and-a-half-year contract, the latest County recruit is the third signing of the January transfer window so far, following the most recent arrival of Josh Dacres-Cogley from Bolton Wanderers earlier this month.
Having been given the number 26, he is the latest offensive reinforcement at Edgeley Park as they look to enjoy a fairly ‘aggressive’ window, as promised.
Speaking on his new home in a club statement, the 27-year-old said: “I’m so excited to be [sitting] here now as a Stockport County player.
“It’s a town and a club I already know so well from my time at Nomads, which made it an easy decision for me and my family to come here once we heard that County were interested.
“I can’t wait to get going now, to start my career in the Football League and to play in front of 10,000 fans at Edgeley Park. I’ve worked very hard to get to this place in my career since moving to England, and will work even harder now I’m here to help the team as we go for promotion.”
As for his new manager, Dave Challinor made it clear they were keen to capitalise on his contract running out, adding that apart from being a bit of a late bloomer in pro football, “he’s a real hard worker that provides real intensity in his press. and really wants to threaten defenders both in and out of possession.”
“He’s scored all types of goals at every level he’s played at, but this will, without doubt, be a step up for him” – it just remains to be seen how he’ll take to the League One and wider EFL challenge.
Danny Jones -
28th October 2022 
