Sport
Sacha Lord to become Chair of Wythenshawe Amateurs following promotion to North West Counties Premier League
A huge step forward for The Ammies.
Following their amazing title win and promotion to the North West Counties Premier League this past weekend, Wythenshawe Amateurs FC have announced that Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord is set to become the club’s new Chair.
The Ammies secured the NWCFL First Division South Title on Saturday, 15th April, with a 4-0 win over Foley Meir, earning automatic promotion to the NWC Premier Division League.
As part of the celebrations of the club moving onwards and upwards, it was confirmed that Lord — co-founder of Parklife and now the world’s favourite nightclub, The Warehouse Project — is soon to replace Carl Barratt when he steps down to vice-chair in the coming weeks.
Having been born in Wythenshawe and remained a long-time supporter of grass-roots football, the Night Time Economy Adviser said when the chance to take over arose it was simply an opportunity he “couldn’t turn down, especially in such an exciting time for the club”.
Speaking following the announcement, Sacha said: “I have been aware of ‘The Ammies‘ for some years now after many friends watched the team during the COVID-19 pandemic from the hill in Hollyhedge Park when games were being held behind closed doors.
“Over the last few months, I’ve attended quite a few games and when the opportunity arose to take over the reins this was something I couldn’t turn down, especially in such an exciting time for the club, following promotion.
“I am looking forward to helping to lead the next part of the journey at Wythenshawe. The Club has so much potential, along with the board, have plans to grow attendance and improve the overall experience for fans and visitors, making this a thriving ground with a hugely diverse fanbase.”
As you’d expect, the scenes in the changing rooms after their emphatic promotion win were delightful and with Sacha’s WHP team providing hospitality as well as food and drink vouchers for Saturday’s game against Pilkington FC, it’s set to be a great atmosphere.
Current Chair, Carl Barratt, said: “The board and I are incredibly excited to take the club forward with Sacha at the helm. We are proud of what we have achieved since opening our new home at Hollyhedge Park and are delighted that Sacha has identified the true potential of our community-owned club.”
“Sacha also will be joining us following the recent news that we have had approval by the FA, Lancashire County FA and all 14 leagues to remove the word ‘Amateurs’ from our name to reflect the progress the Club has made, and we will shortly commence rebranding across all our platforms.
“Wythenshawe means the world to me, and I cannot stress enough my enthusiasm and support for Sacha and his plans. He has a superb track record of building destination venues with passionate and active communities and I know that we are in very capable hands when I hand over the baton in the coming weeks.”
As mentioned, Carl will remain as vice-chair and continue to head up the junior ranks as the club revels in “a solid moment in [its] history”, now playing at the highest level they’ve ever been at and continuing their legacy of never being relegated in the 77 years since it was founded.
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Speaking of the club’s board and the Ammies’ heroics, in general, their 4-0 win felt like a fitting reward following their impressive charitable efforts over the weekend.
Spread over two days, current vice-chair Martin Howe and a number of other volunteers embarked on a massive 35-mile walk to raise money for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, raising over £1,500 for cancer research and treatment.
The Ammies are a class act.
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Featured Image — Wythenshawe Amateurs
Sport
Man City stars Phil Foden and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw win 2024 FWA Footballer of the Year awards
Danny Jones
Manchester City stars Phil Foden and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw have made it another double for the Blues after picking up the men’s and women’s awards for the 2024 Footballer of the Year from the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).
The Man City forwards have arguably been the players of the season for their respective teams this year, with Foden enjoying the best statistical campaign of his career so far and ‘Bunny’ Shaw becoming the club’s record goalscorer back in March, surpassing women’s legend and Lioness Georgia Stanway.
With nearly 60 goal contributions across all competitions between the two of them and both sides looking very likely to lift the Premier League and WSL titles this month, it’s been an impressive performance both individually and as a team.
We reckon these won’t be the only awards they end up with this year.
Pipping one of the best players in the league to the post this year in the shape of Chelsea and England star Lauren James, the 27-year-old Jamaican striker told the FWA and the club: “I am very proud and privileged to have received this award and to be recognised in this way is a special honour.
“I want to also thank all of my team-mates. They provide me with the chances to score goals and I could not have won this award without them. I also owe such a lot to Gareth [Taylor, head coach], the rest of the coaching team and everyone else here at City.
It’s a pleasure to be part of such a special group. Many thanks to all who voted for me and to my fellow nominees. It means such a lot to have won this award. Hopefully, the side can now finish off the season in style and give everyone a special cause to celebrate.” Shaw is now recovering from surgery on a broken foot sustained against West Ham.
This is actually the second time that the club have mopped up both the men’s and women’s FWA awards, with Raheem Sterling and Nikita Parris achieving the same feat back in 2019.
Manager Pep Guardiola has once again been full of praise for his in-form forward ahead of Saturday’s league fixture against Wolves.
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As for first-team talisman and England favourite himself, Foden added: “Being named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year is a huge honour. I’m very, very happy to receive this award but I could not have done it without the help of my teammates.
“We have a very special squad of players at City, and I’m privileged to be a part of that group.” With two PFA Young Player of the Year awards to his name in 20/21 and 21/22 as well, the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ is no stranger to receiving this kind of recognition but this is undoubtedly his biggest nod yet.
The 23-year-old Foden won 42% of the members’ votes and is the fourth City player to pick up the award in four years, with Erling Haaland obviously storming the race last season. That being said, 2023/24 has well and truly been the year of Phil Foden.
Congratulations to both players on their very well-earned accolades and we’re keeping our eyes peeled on both of them ahead of a big summer for international football.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Bunny Shaw/Manchester City (via Instagram)
Sport
Manchester City reveals details around the first Andy’s Man Club sessions at the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
Manchester City have released the first details surrounding their inaugural Andy’s Man Club sessions at the Etihad Campus.
One of the most important charities in the UK when it comes to male mental health and suicide prevention, Andy’s Man Club and even its logo alone have become a recognisable force for good over the past few years, and the significance of bringing it to such a big scale as City cannot be overstated.
The football club first announced the partnership back in February and has already been working closely with the non-profit organisation to promote better wellbeing amongst men, getting first-team stars such as defender John Stones to open up about his own experiences with mental health just last month.
With that in mind, the word is now out that Man City will be providing yet another location for groups to meet and crucially talk through Andy’s Man Club sessions, confirming details around their first meeting from next week onwards.
Set to kick off in the East Stand of the Etihad Stadium from 7-9pm on Monday, 13 May, Man City will not only help deliver a vital outlet for men in the East Manchester area but become just the latest in a long line of teams to back the regular support group.
Joining over 180 clubs nationwide – including the likes of Altrincham FC, Ashton United and Bolton Wanderers, just to name a few in the Greater Manchester area – Andy’s Mans Club is currently helping well over 4,000 men open up and combat their struggles through peer-to-peer sessions.
Founded by a group of nine blokes from Halifax back in 2016 to create positive change in men’s mental health, Andy’s Man Club now helps gather men aged 18 and over across the country every week throughout the year.
In alignment with other partnered clubs Andy’s Man Clubs across the country, attendees will be asked to arrive from 18:30 (UK) ahead of the 19:00 start time.
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The sessions are free with registration or ID required and, more importantly, there’s no pressure to talk if you don’t want to. The first step is easy: just listen.
Just because it’s being held at City’s ground doesn’t mean you have to be a season ticket holder, have an official Cityzens membership to attend or anything like that, you can simply arrive via the East Stand reception (Door F) and join the session.
Attendees will be greeted on arrival by trained volunteers from Andy’s Man Club who will guide them through the stadium. With the club now on board, group sessions will be running at the same time every week (except bank holiday Mondays) with the first dates scheduled for the following nights this month:
- Monday 13 May
- Monday 20 May
- Monday 3 June
- Monday 10 June
Well done to all those involved in bringing Andy’s Man Club to Manchester City and the East Manchester community. We hope the sessions will help those going along as they have done for thousands of others.
#ItsOkayToTalk
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Featured Images — Manchester City/Andy’s Man Club