The Manchester United Foundation is continuing to carry out its regular schedule of wholesome community initiatives, with the club inviting a whole host of fans down to Carrington to meet the squad for ‘Dream Day’.
Now a biannual event on the United Foundation‘s calendar, Dream Days are heartwarming events that return every season, offering supporters travelling from all over the UK to come and meet with their footballing heroes and watch a first-team training session from the balcony of the Jimmy Murphy Centre.
This being the first of the year, fans sadly suffering from life-limiting illnesses arrived at the nearby training complex where they got to meet captain Bruno Fernandes, Man United and England centre-back Harry Maguire, club legend Wes Brown; the gaffer himself, Erik ten Hag, and many more.
As you can see from the pics, the players might have been a touch sweaty and damp from the Manc weather, but it didn’t stop them from making it a very special day for everyone in attendance.
For those who are a part of it, the United Dream Day initiative always lives up to its name.
With the likes of Brown and other members of the MUFC staff greeting guests and providing them with goodie bags and shirts before the real surprise, the kids’ and parents’ faces tell you everything you need to know.
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Speaking on the importance of the day, Bruno Fernandes said, “It’s really important. Dream Days have been part of the club for so many years. We know that football can bring so much joy to the fans and I hope that today it’s been a special moment for them, and we’ve put smiles on their faces.”
Echoing his teammate, Norwegian striker Rasmus Hojlund went on to say: “I enjoy giving back. I’ve been a young fan myself and I know how it is, so it’s good that we can have days like this. They are so happy to see us, and we are happy to see them too.
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“That’s what football is all about; it’s been a really positive experience.”
As for the fan side of things, 13-year-old Harley, who got to meet his idol Kobbie Mainoo, couldn’t get enough of the day, labelling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience. Today was really fun. I was having surgery in January and now I’m here, it’s crazy.”
John, father of 18-year-old Lydia, told club media: “We’ve had an incredible day. Lydia has had the best time; it’s great memories for her and for our family. She’s United mad, football mad, and has been since a young age, so it’s just brilliant to be here today.”
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A regular volunteer at Foundation events, previous club captain Maguire added: “It’s a day we all look forward to. Seeing so many smiles, you can feel the energy around the place. You go away from here feeling really proud to be able to play for this club; it’s great to meet so many fantastic people.”
The Foundation carried all kinds of charity work throughout the year and we look forward to many more wholesome scenes throughout 2024.
Featured Images — Manchester United Foundation (Supplied)
Sport
Manchester Storm’s ‘own and loan’ scheme returns for 2026/27
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have relaunched their much-loved ‘own and loan’ programme once again ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Having gone from a cult favourite option for die-hards to an increasingly popular choice among their growing number of supporters, it’s a great way for fans to get their hands on what could go on to be priceless collectables.
Set up over a decade and a half ago, the initiative has gone on to be replicated by multiple clubs in the Elite Ice Hockey League, across the country, and indeed beyond.
For anyone unclear on what exactly this scheme means for them, here’s all you need to know.
The own and loan sponsorship is essentially an opportunity not only to support the club and your favourite player, but to essentially reserve a valuable piece of match-worn memorabilia.
Put simply, fans can buy a squad member’s jersey and then loan it back to them for the season.
The shirt – be it home, away, created for cup tournaments or a special limited-edition sweater (of which MCR Storm have designed many over the years) – will then be worn throughout the course of the campaign before being given back to the owner, i.e. you.
Not just simply buying the shirt, but helping back the team’s talent, it’s one of the most direct ways people can contribute to the club.
The Greater Manchester side pioneered the push for this initiative here in the UK in the early 2010s, and with the local side now set to return to the AO Arena, where their journey began way back in 1995, you can expect plenty to mark the comeback with a special sponsored jersey.
Anyone who purchases an away strip will have their name featured throughout home games for the duration of the season – not a bad gift or way to secure a potential future collectors’ item.
You can see every player available to sponsor and find out all the information you need right HERE.
For regular matchgoers at the ‘Storm Shelter’, we’re sure it’ll be bittersweet to say goodbye to Planet Ice Altrincham, but just how excited are you about heading home to the AO Arena later this year?
Featured Images — Manchester Storm (publicity picture)/The Manc Group
Sport
League One set for an all-Greater Manchester playoff final as Bolton book trip to Wembley
Danny Jones
It’s official: we’re all set for a fully Greater Manchester League One playoff final as Bolton Wanderers are the latest to secure a return to Wembley against Stockport County.
The resurgent old Lancashire club clinched their spot in the knockout conclusion of the third division with a single strike in the second leg of the semis, and it wasn’t a bad finish, either.
Beating Bradford City 2-0 on aggregate, Bolton will now play familiar regional rivals Stockport, with Wanderers set to clash with County in a decisive derby once again.
Bolton‘s instinctive volley from Chelsea youth product and former Hull City man, Xavier Simons, resulted in some very satisfying limbs at Valley Parade.
The home fans did have plenty to cheer on the night, with efforts from Metcalfe, Power and Wright all either hitting the woodwork or being deflected just past it.
They thought they were level in the tie at one point after Kayden Jackson put the ball in the back of the net, but it was ultimately ruled out.
Agonising stuff for the Bradford supporters to burst into bedlam before the flag was raised for offside.
Many supporters will argue that the key moment came somewhat against the run of play, but The Trotters won’t care one bit as they book another trip down to the capital.
You can watch the rest of the highlights, including those scenes in the away end, down below.
Speaking even before the game, head coach Steven Schumacher told Sky Sports: “It’s a club we believe is bigger than this division, but this division is not easy to get out of.
“The expectation and the demand to get to the Championship is there, and once you’re in the building and you feel the mood when you win games, when you lose games, you can sense that this is a club that is desperate to get out and get to the next level.
“When you look at the size of both Bolton and Bradford and how well they are supported, both clubs are probably too big to be in League One. But that’s where both clubs find themselves, and one of us has got to find our way out of it if we can.”
You’d dare say he can practically smell promotion via the playoffs now; the local side has come quite a way since the lows of administration in 2019 and the bottom tier of the EFL – not without some heartbreaks in previous playoff finals – but could he be the one to get them back where they belong?
In case you missed the action from the other game, you can see more HERE, and to hear Schumacher’s thoughts after the decisive result, look no further…
Danny Jones -
11th April 2024 
