Fans from rival Manchester football teams are being urged to take separate travel routes to the FA Cup final this weekend.
History is repeating itself and tensions are building by the day, as Manchester United and Manchester City prepare to face each other in an all-Manchester final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 May.
2023 was the first time the two Manchester clubs battled it out for the FA Cup title in the final in the 153-year-old football competition’s illustrious history, and it was victory for the Citizens, with the trophy forming a crucial piece of their treble-winning season… but, in what seems to be a repeating turn of events, 2024 is the year of the re-match.
And, to no surprise, it’s all set to be a massive day for football fans in our football-obsessed city.
But for those fans who are planning to make the trip down to London for the big day on Saturday, National Highways is urging them to take separate travel routes.
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Man City and Man United fans urged to take separate travel routes to FA Cup final / Credit: The FA / Manchester City (via Twitter)
With kick-off at 3pm, England’s motorways operator has set out a plan to help fans avoid traffic hold-ups before and after the crucial match.
To make it as smooth as a journey for everyone as possible, City fans travelling to the capital have been advised to use the M62 and M1 to get to Wembley, while United supporters should use the M6, M42, and the M40 instead, according to National Highways.
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Given the fact the FA Cup final this year has already sold out, this means that some 90,000 fans are expected to be heading to England‘s national stadium for the game.
Hundreds of extra coaches are being laid on to get both sets of fans to Wembley and home again, while many others are expected to drive themselves to the match either on the day, or as part of a weekend break to the capital with family and friends.
And of course, the influx of football traffic will be on top of all the rest of the journeys being made on the major motorway routes by the general public for a variety of other non-football related reasons across the weekend.
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Because of increased traffic numbers, the FA is also urging fans to “plan their journey well in advance” and “consider the options in place to support them” as a means of keeping everyone safe.
The two Manchester teams will face each other in the FA Cup final on Saturday 25 May at 3pm / Credit: The FA
National Highways has also provided travel tips for football fans.
“Our message to everyone driving down for the final is to plan their journeys carefully, follow our advice on routes, look out for incidents or congestion once they are on the road, and heed any advice on our electronic signs,” explained Gary Farrell – who is National Highways’ senior network planner for the North West.
“Stopping for regular breaks will not only help keep you fresh, but will also give you a chance to check for congestion or incidents and adjust your travel plans accordingly.”
More information on advised travel routes to Wembley ahead of the final this Saturday 25 May at 3pm can be found on the National Highways website here.
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Live traffic updates on the day of the final can be found here.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
The Oldham Man and The Sea: the documentary about the Latics owner’s record-breaking Atlantic voyage
Danny Jones
It doesn’t matter if you’re not an Athletic fan or native to the borough; we think everyone should go along to watch the much-anticipated documentary about football club owner Frank Rothwell and his record-breaking journey across the Atlantic Ocean: The Oldham Man And The Sea.
One of the simplest and most satisfying names for a film we’ve heard in a long time.
For anyone who doesn’t know about the Oldham Athletic FC chairman turned OBE’s incredible story, Frank Rothwell has set multiple records with his impressive sea-faring feats in recent times.
This new doc, which just premiered at this year’s Manchester Film Festival, charts his latest trip across one of the biggest bodies of water on the planet in March 2024.
As you can see from the recent trailer, it’s almost as arduous a tale as the original Hemingway story.
This movie – produced by Journeyman Pictures and Chief Productions – made its full debut at the Odeon in Great Northern Warehouse for MFF 2026, and is set to have a number of other screenings in and around Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and months.
One of those is happening rather soon, in fact, over at Saddleworth’s Millgate Arts Centre on Saturday, 28 March, which is ideal for those local to the region; grab your tickets now.
ln fact, there’s also one happening even closer to his hometown the following month, with Oldham’s very own Queen Elizabeth Hall also hosting a special screening of Rothwell’s incredible achievement.
You can reserve your seats for that one right HERE.
Having not only become the eldest (70) Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge finisher back in 2021, but now holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to ever complete the crossing while rowing solo at 73 years old, he’s become nothing short of a local hero – and that’s just his stewardship of the Latics…
The film does, obviously, touch on his time at the helm of the League Two side, who finally returned to the EFL last June, but the heart and soul of this inspiring watch is the sail itself.
More importantly, it also documents not just the gruelling nature of the 64-day, seven-hour and 53-minute trek, but also how Frank has now helped raise more than £1.4 million on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
What an absolute icon.
Hopefully, this should be just about all the reason you need to watch The Oldham Man And The Sea the very next opportunity you get to do so – and, of course, all proceeds from ticket sales will also be going to charity, because just the kind of bloke he is.
And here’s hoping we get a streaming version sometime soon.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd May 2024 
