It’s an emotional day for Manchester Storm die-hards as club legend Cam Critchlow has revealed he will soon be retiring.
Consider this well and truly the end of an era, not just for the local side but for the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) and followers of the game up and down the country.
Manchester Storm supporters have said goodbye to the Cam Critchlow before – more than once, in fact – but this time, we’re sad to say, it’s for good. No, really this time.
Confirmed via an official announcement on Friday evening, 2025 is set to be his last year not only as an EIHL star but as a professional ice hockey player full stop.
Sharing an emotional goodbye in a lengthy and heartfelt statement, the club wrote: “Manchester Storm are set to bid farewell to a true club legend, as it has today been confirmed that Captain Cam Critchlow will be retiring from professional hockey at the end of this season.
“After an illustrious career, Critchlow will hang up his skates, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by fans, teammates, and the entire Storm community.”
The 33-year-old began his playing days back in his home country of Canada before a period in Australia and eventually on the ECHL developmental tier, which serves as a proving ground for the American Hockey League and North American’s premier hockey division, the NHL.
Fast forward to 2018, when Critchlow made his EIHL and Storm debut, it’s fair to say few could have predicted just how much of an icon he would become for the club over the next half-decade, going on to mark his fifth season in Altrincham this year – technically across three spells, but who’s counting?
In addition to the wealth of experience he brought to the team, they describe his contributions as “immeasurable”, a sentiment we’re sure supporters would agree with. Speaking in an extensive and candid interview with the club, he said simply: “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever been able to do.”
For Cam Critchlow, retiring was “the most difficult decision” but one that feels like the right one.
To put it in the words of the club, “Over these years, he has been the heartbeat of the Storm, offering leadership, skill, and commitment both on and off the ice.
“As team captain, his work ethic and dedication to the game have been an inspiration to his teammates, and his passion for the sport has endeared him to fans across the region.”
It goes without saying that he has remained one of Manchester Storm’s top performers from start to fairytale returns and now his twilight ending, racking up 203 points and an impressive 260 PIMs in 296 appearances for the local outfit, boasting a total of 68 goals and 135 assists.
Going on to earn dual citizenship here in the UK, he’s also gone on to represent Great Britain more than a dozen times too. Impact, longevity and commitment.
Former Storm colleague Matt Ginn wrote: “Congrats on an outstanding career. Just truly one of the best. As good of a player, captain, leader, and teammate you were, you’re an even better person, and I’m lucky to call you a friend.” He’s also gone on to help inspire the next generation of Manc players.
@Critchlow11 congrats on your well earned retirement! Jack has loved watching you play, and you have been such an inspiration to him – so much so he plays as #11 for the academy 🏒 wishing you all the best ☺️ pic.twitter.com/y30mo0XH7O
Storm went on to add: “His on-ice performances will forever be etched in the history of the club, but it is his leadership and character that will leave the most lasting impression.”
Expressing their gratitude for his years of service, they also wished him “nothing but success in all future endeavours”; surely a coaching career beckons next?
In celebration of his illustrious career, the Storm Shelter is set to honour ‘Cap Cam’ as part of a celebration on Friday, 4 April, when they host Guildford Flames at Planet Ice.
They signed off by encouraging fans “to join the club as we come together to celebrate Cam Critchlow’s extraordinary journey and bid him a fond farewell. It promises to be a memorable occasion and a fitting tribute to one of the finest captains the team has ever had.
“Thank you, Cam, for everything you have done for the Manchester Storm. Your efforts will never be forgotten.”
Matty Young returns to Salford City FC for a second season following successful loan spell
Danny Jones
Promising goalkeeper Matty Young has returned to Salford City FC for 2025/26 for a second loan stint following a successful first year last season.
The Sunderland academy product spent the previous campaign on loan at the Peninsula Stadium, enjoying a prolific spell over the festive period, keeping half a dozen consecutive clean sheets between December at the start of January.
Still just 18 years old and impressing plenty up and down the EFL, there was plenty of interest in the boyhood Black Cat (who’s been with the club since he was seven), but with the Tyneside outfit now back in the Premier League and having recently signed two new keepers themselves, minutes looked unlikely.
With that in mind, Salford City have dipped back into the loans market this summer transfer window to secure Matty Young for another 12 months.
Announcing the re-signing on Thursday, 24 July, Salford revealed Young in a series of social media posts, including a highlight reel from his standout showcase last term.
He went on to register a total of eight shutouts in 20 league appearances, as well as another in their second-round FA Cup tie against Cheltenham, which they went on to win 2-0.
The England youngster has already represented the Three Lions at under-18, U19 and U21s level, with both Manchester City and Man United having reportedly been monitoring the growing prospect.
Speaking via the club website, he said: I think knowing what I am capable of and my ability on the pitch, I think there is more expectation now with what I can go and deliver on a match day. I have set very high expectations [for] myself to go and push on, and to be the best keeper in the league this year.
“I think the lads will be pushing for automatics this year, if not, the play-offs, so that is something that me and the team will be looking forward to, and that is the end goal at the end of the day.
“It has all come round very quickly, it feels like we only played Carlisle the other day; me and the team are very excited about that first game against Crewe [Alexandra]. Ideally, we want to come here and win, and I feel that will be the first stepping stone on this journey that we are hopefully going to have.”
The Ammies take on Crewe in the opening round of this year’s League Two competition, and the ambitious young shot-stopper – pardon the pun – will no doubt be looking to lay down the gauntlet as the outright number one as soon as possible.
The ex-Wrexham AFC number, who has flirted with the first-choice spot plenty before, is technically returning to the team for the second time, too.
Now 38, Howard started his career in Arsenal’s youth set-up, going on to represent 13 different clubs, including Scottish side St Mirren, Bolton Wanderers here in Greater Manchester, Blackpool, Scunthorpe and Carlisle, making at least 30 appearances for all of them.
He spent most of his time at Sheffield United from 2012-2015, playing a total of 80 times for the Blades, before joining Wrexham, where he also reached half a century of games.
It remains to be seen which of the two will push hardest for a spot in the starting XI. Here’s what Salford fans can expect/hope for more of:
Matty Young showed plenty of bright sparks at Salford City in 24/25.
Marcus Rashford officially unveiled as a Barcelona player after sealing blockbuster loan move
Danny Jones
Manchester United star and England international Marcus Rashford has officially been unveiled as an FC Barcelona player after signing a new loan deal with the iconic Catalan club.
While Rashford remains a favourite among millions of Man United fans, his time at The Theatre of Dreams has been somewhat turbulent of late, to say the least, and the relationship between him and manager Ruben Amorim was such that it was made clear the lifelong Red was no longer part of his plans.
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, following a fairly uncertain January transfer window, when a move to Barcelona first emerged as a possibility.
The Wythenshawe winger went on to register a combined seven goals and assists in his first half a dozen starts over in Birmingham and quickly became popular among many supporters, but it looks as though his eyes were always set on a switch to Barca.
Leaks of the Mancunian-born and bred footballer and MBE were shared online on Tuesday, 22 July, with Rashford’s arrival at the airport and snaps of him carrying out his first media photoshoot ahead of being unveiled in the famous red and blue stripes appearing on social media.
Joining the Blaugrana on loan under an initial 12-month contract, the deal is reported €14 million (approximately £12m) gross in salary plus bonuses linked to appearance clauses. It was Rashford’s significant wages that made Villa and other clubs’ pursuits challenging.
Most notably, however, the agreement is said to include an option to buy, which would see Barcelona secure Rashford on a permanent basis for an estimated fee of £26 million including add-ons.
At 27 years old and with more goals than United legends like Andy Cole, Tommy Taylor and his ex-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær – more than 30 of those coming against the ‘big six’ – plenty has been made of whether this price is a fitting representation of his value and talent when at his blistering best.
Nevertheless, it appears that his new home fans have no shortage of excitement, as it didn’t take long for street art to hit the streets of Barca; in fact, this particular mural was painted before Rashford had even officially joined, and people lined up outside the Nou Camp to watch him arrive at the hallowed stadium.
Marcus Rashford artwork is already on the streets of Barcelona 🔥🎨
Echoing shades of Scott McTominay’s somewhat reluctant move to reigning Italian champions, Napoli, not only does Rashford’s second spell away from his boyhood club seem it could be very well be a long goodbye, but we’ve already seen a few first-team Red Devils excel after leaving Old Trafford.
For instance, Brazilian forward Antony hit the ground running after joining Real Betis on loan (with the club joking that they needed to start a “crowdfunded to keep him“), and now former fellow academy graduate Elanga has moved to his second team post-United, joining Newcastle for a hefty £55m.
Between them, they contributed to 32 goal involvements since donning a different shirt – the latter doing so in just a matter of months.
Even Jadon Sancho managed to regain some semblance of form after rejoining Chelsea on a short-term deal, scoring the penultimate goal in the Conference League final against the aforementioned Betis, though the west London outfit ultimately opted to pay a penalty to avoid their obligation to buy.
Put it this way: if this is set to be the final farewell from the now-ex-number 10 after more than two decades in Man United colours, it isn’t as simple as a fallout with the gaffer or the player just ‘wanting away’. It’s part of a larger and longer-running pattern.
His old teammate, Paul Pogba, also believes his old club are ‘losing a great player‘.
As Gary Lineker hinted at in his recent interview regarding Rashford and Barca, who was the last Englishman to join the La Liga giants nearly 40 years ago, there seems to be a running theme and “problem” over in the red half of Manchester.
Rashford will wear the number 14: the same number that retired Arsenal and legendary French footballer Thierry Henry wore when he arrived at Barcelona – a player who Marcus had made no secret of idolising growing up and mirrors much of his game on.
Do you think it’s the right decision by Rashford and/or Manchester United?
🗞️ Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan.
Danny Jones -
29th March 2025 
