Wythenshawe Amateurs FC fans have today begun their epic 35-mile charity walk to their final league game in an effort to raise money for the club and The Christie NHS Foundation.
Turning their next away day into a fantastic feat of fundraising, a faithful legion of Ammies have decided to walk 35 miles, or just over 56 kilometres, from their home ground in Sharston, Wythenshawe, all the way to Foley Meir FC’s stadium in Stoke-on-Trent. Crikey.
For context, this massive trek is about an hour and a quarter in the car and would take you nearly two and a half hours on the train, but these lot are doing over 11 hours all on foot.
The best part is, as well as managing to get vice-chairman Martin Howe involved, they’re doing the whole thing not only to raise money for the beloved Christie cancer research and treatment centre. Absolute legends.
You can donate to the cause on the above link.#UpTheAmmies 🔵⚪️
— Wythenshawe Amateurs FC (@wythenshaweafc) April 14, 2023
Setting off around 10am on Friday, Howe, along with fellow walkers Adam Lewis and Ash Butterely, began the first day of their charity walk, setting off from the Selco Builders Warehouse Community Stadium and embarking on their journey in the most fittingly Mancunian way possible: in the wind and rain.
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As the route has it, they are set to travel through Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Congleton before stopping over for the night and setting back out into Biddulph, down the east side of Stoke-on-Trent and on towards Foley Meir’s McIntosh Arena.
With their fourth team member Glenn Smith due to join them the following morning, they should arrive in time for kick-off at 3pm on Saturday.
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The last time we heard from them, they had just reached Alderley Edge just around 1pm.
It looks like the lads are already putting in a great shift and will no doubt be welcomed as heroes by the travelling Wythenshawe AFC supporters and Foley fans alike when they complete the charity walk.
As explained in the description of the JustGiving page, the full route has been shared with Ammies and Greater Manchester locals alike, with the organisers encouraging anyone who wants to do their bit to get involved should they wish.
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Alternatively, you can simply donate to the fundraiser HERE.
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
14th April 2023 
