If you managed to catch the UEFA U21s European Championships this year, you’ll know that one of England’s most impressive players throughout the tournament was Manchester City youngster, James Trafford, and if you’re aware of Burnley FC’s social media, you know they never disappoint.
That’s right, the former Man City keeper who was on loan at Bolton Wanderers and took them all the way to League One playoffs last season, has officially signed for Burnley on a reported fee of around £19 million including add-ons, after his market value skyrocketed following an impressive 2022/23 campaign.
As well as being a reliable man between the sticks over in Bolton and starring at the U21 Euros, he was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in City’s academy and clearly gelled well with the likes of his fellow Blue and England U21 captain, Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Nevertheless, the promising youth player has now got a move to the recently re-promoted Burnley and has taken the no.1 shirt right from the off. With that being said, they only saw fit to give the exciting new arrival another one of their vintage announcement videos.
We would’ve liked a ‘Great shot!’ pun, but you can’t have everything.
Absolutely class, as usual. As you can see, the iconic Back to Future score makes for the perfect soundtrack as they replay his incredible heroics in the U21s final, producing a double-save in the dying embers of added time as England clung on to a tense 1-0 lead.
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But it isn’t just this one standout moment that saw people take notice of the keeper; Trafford didn’t concede a single goal throughout the entire tournament and also managed to keep a clean sheet in the Wanderers’ historic 4-0 EFL Trophy win back in April.
Moreover, during his time at the UniBol (yes, we know it has a silly new name), he managed to keep 33 clean sheets in 77 appearances — 22 of those coming this past season — and was one of the key players in the side that led oh so close to promotion.
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Trafford boasts a solid record and some of the key natural traits you’d hope for in a shot-stopper and has become the 25th most-expensive goalkeeper of all-time at just 20 years old. This kid looks like he could be the real deal.
Knowing the potential Trafford has, Man City have naturally included not only a 20% sell-on clause but a buy-back option within the four-year deal as well, which is said to be worth around £15m up front as well as a further £4m add-ons.
He is yet to play in the Premier League but with City legend Vincent Kompany‘s Burnley facing off against the champions and treble-winners in their opening game of the season on 11 August, his first match could very well come against his old club.
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What a moment that will be for everyone involved.
You can watch the 2023 U21s Euro final highlights and Trafford’s shining moment down below:
James Trafford, England hero and now Burnley’s no.1
Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
In a big blow to their promotion push, Stockport County have been hit with a major injury and loss to their first-team squad, as defender Brad Hills has been ruled out for what looks to be the remainder of the season and then some.
Not what Hatters will want to hear with crunch-time in and around the playoffs now well underway.
Having emerged as even more of a starring centre-back this year, following his initial loan spell with the club during the previous campaign, Brad Hills has arguably been one of Stockport’s best and most reliable players in 2025/26 thus far – but not County will have to do without him.
Although the exact severity is yet to be fully revealed, the former Norwich City youth academy graduate is said to have hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Confirming the news on social media, the Greater Manchester side stated: “We regret to inform supporters that Brad Hills sustained an ACL injury in Saturday’s draw at Luton Town that will rule him out for the foreseeable future.
“Our full focus is on supporting Brad throughout his recovery – we know he’ll come back stronger”
For anyone unaware, ACL tears/ruptures are among some of the worst injuries in football, and depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere between six months and a full year to bounce back.
Safe to say, therefore, that supporters have been left gutted by the update, with one commenting, “Awful, awful news”; another simply wrote, “FFS”.
After typing a very long expletive following the show news, fan podcast The Scarf Bergara Wore wrote: “Wishing Bradley Hills a speedy recovery – come back stronger!
Since becoming a permanent signing back in August, he’s earned multiple man-of-the-match awards in blue and white, not to mention contributed to a decent number of clean sheets. He’ll be a big miss in their backline.
While it’s no doubt a big setback as the League One team looks to get promoted into the Championship, the absence could see manager Dave Challinor reshuffle the pack and perhaps even the formation for the remaining fixtures.
One option is Louie Barry, who – depending on the setup – could finally be set for a return to the pitch after he was signed on a third loan deal this past January, but is still continuing his own rehab following a knee operation.
Put it this way, with not many games left, lots of County fans are probably wishing that the pending and potential further changes in the EFL could have come sooner…
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Danny Jones -
21st July 2023 
