Manchester City has apologised after “vile” and offensive chants mocking the death of England and Manchester United legend, Sir Bobby Charlton, were heard being sung by some of their fans during their Premier League home game on Saturday.
Captured in since-deleted clips on social media, a “small number” of Blues were heard chanting “Bobby’s in a box” during the 2-1 win against Brighton — the same fixture in which they paid tribute to a former international and club legend of their own, Franny Lee, who died earlier this month.
Speaking to The Times, a club source called those involved “idiots who represent neither our club nor our fans”, with City also issuing an appeal urging their own supporters to come forward with information.
🚨 Manchester City have apologized to Manchester United and the family of Sir Bobby Charlton after some of their supporters were filmed celebrating his death.
A City source branded those who took part in the chants "idiots who represent neither our club nor our fans" and called… pic.twitter.com/iW9EFUHDxp
City apologise and condemn the Sir Bobby Charlton chants from their home fans.
“Manchester City FC are extremely disappointed to have learned of reports of offensive chanting from a small number of individuals about Sir Bobby Charlton in some of the concourses of Etihad Stadium during half-time of yesterday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion”, the statement read.
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“The club condemns these chants in the strongest terms and apologises unreservedly to the family and friends of Sir Bobby, and to all those at Manchester United.
“On this day of all days, when the stadium stood to pay tribute to our own legend in Francis Lee, Manchester City supporters should understand and appreciate as keenly as anyone the need for respect in our game.
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“Our security team are studying CCTV footage of the concourse areas. We are thankful to those who have already come forward to report this matter. We continue to appeal for any information that can help us identify the individuals involved so that we can take the appropriate action to issue banning orders.”
The Premier League similarly expressed their upset at the reports, stating they were “appalled” by the behaviour and insisted that they will support Man City in whatever action they deem appropriate.
Meanwhile, Man United players, staff and fans were welcomed to Old Trafford on Sunday to pay their respects to the prolific goalscorer, World Cup winner and club hero, with thousands writing tributes in person and online, as well countless people continuing to lay flowers and scarves outside his likeness on the iconic Trinity Statue.
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In addition to yesterdays memorial, the club has confirmed they will hold a minute’s silence outside before kick-off in their next two matches as United prepare to face FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday and then City themselves in league on Sunday.
Rest in peace to one of the greatest to ever do it.
The scene outside Old Trafford this morning.
We've speaking to fans and former United players live on @BBCRadioManc for their memories of Sir Bobby Charlton.
Hear from Richie Wellens, Sammy McIlroy and Steve Bruce.
Featured Image — Manchester United/Manchester City (via Twitter)
Sport
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 -
23rd October 2023 
