Wigan Athletic FC have officially launched their ‘Future Fund’ scheme for next season, giving fans the chance to contribute and impact the club’s youth academy system from the ground up.
The initiative, which looks to raise direct funding and support for the next generation of Latics players, has proved to be an invaluable part of the club’s infrastructure, especially given their all too recent financial problems.
It was only back in 2020 that the Greater Manchester side fell into administration; fast forward four years, and not only is the club back on its feet and trying to establish a stronger foothold in the EFL, but they are now continuing to build that bridge from grassroots all the way into senior professional football.
With memberships for the 2025/26 campaign now open, supporters are once again being encouraged to invest in homegrown talent and the future of their club.
Following the Future Fund‘s debut this time last year, more than 500 fans are said to have joined the scheme in its inaugural season, with more than £75,000 in voluntary donations through the membership and approximately £65k of that money pumped back into various academy services.
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Be it sports science and data analytics or trips and tours, the recruitment of rising stars and so on, the lion’s share of the first kitty went straight back into supporting the junior ranks.
Now known as the ‘Heatable Wigan Athletic Academy’, with the local outfit securing sponsorship for their youth setup back in February 2024 (again, more pragmatic business-minded thinking from the Latics), they’re looking to build from within as much as possible.
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Case and point: 38% of all minutes this season have also come from academy graduates. These are the kind of stats we love to hear.
You can hear Academy Manager Jake Campbell explaining the importance of the Future Fund when first launched in more detail down below:
Speaking on the renewal of the Future Fund for next season, the Latics’ managing director, Sarah Guilfoyle, wrote as part of a club statement: “The Future Fund has made a significant difference to the Heatable Wigan Athletic Academy over the last 12 months, with the funds allowing us to develop and strengthen various areas within the Academy, including those not covered by regular funding provisions.
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“The Board and I are extremely grateful to our Future Fund members for their support of the Academy and the fantastic work undertaken by the Academy staff. We know our supporters are very proud of the calibre of players we have produced and will continue to produce through our Academy.
“We’ve been fully open and transparent with supporters regarding how the generated funds have been used, and we’re really excited to see how the Future Fund continues to aid and enhance our Academy.
“Our priority is making sure all Members feel part of the journey. Nothing gives us more pleasure than seeing one of our own on the pitch, and we hope our supporters experience the same pride, especially knowing they have helped make a resounding impact.”
The Latis may only be 17th in League One right now, but they’ve come a long way from the brink of disaster just a few short years ago and investing not only in their own talented prospects but the next generation of young footballers is an idea we can all get behind.
They take on Shrewsbury Town on the road this Good Friday, 18 April at 3pm and the initial away allocation was snapped up in a heartbeat. Times may change but the support never goes anywhere.
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If you’re a Wigan fan interested in getting involved, you can find out plenty more information, including pricing options as well as additional season ticket benefits, right HERE.
Latest wave of ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton lineup in memory of the legendary Manc boxer announced
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton, and now a superb second wave of names has been added to AO Arena’s lineup.
Coming this summer, the legendary Manchester arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still only know bits and pieces about what’s in store, but a whole host of familiar Manc faces, famous British names, and figures from the world of sport have now been announced.
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
As you can see, now confirmed for the evening are the likes of Man United legend, Paul Scholes, darts icon Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, as well as fellow former boxers like Frank Bruno, Tony Bellew and more.
Local band, The K’s, were already confirmed as part of the in-person performances, but now the likes of Manc grime artists Bugzy Malone, fellow UK rapper Tinie Tempah, and The Lottery Winners are joining in, too, alongside loads more live music and entertainment set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.
Manchester’s cross club running social returns for 2026 and biggest summer party yet
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s now annual cross club running social is BACK for 2026, and 2026 is set to be the biggest to date, making the most of the summer vibes.
We’re already getting very excited for this one.
The Cross Club Social (CCS) first began in 2023 and continues to grow each year, with the organisers continuing to push the budget right to its limits in order to bring the Manc running community one big, beautiful and utterly brilliant bash.
Booking larger venues and putting together an even better schedule each and every year, marathon season is done for most of you – now it’s time to give yourselves a proper, well-deserved break.
Set up by local runners and DJs turned summer social specialists, Dave ‘Macca’ McLaughlin and Sophie ‘DG’ de Greenlaw, the upcoming Cross Club Social is the fourth edition of what has now become the go-to post-race season party.
Toasting not just everyone’s incredible achievements following the likes of the Manchester and London Marathons, but also celebrating the local running culture and various clubs as a whole, it really is the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards after months of training – i.e. with lots of drinks and dancing.
With help this year from Manchester Road Runners‘ (MRR) very own social secretary, Gemma Moore, the programming and full schedule looks more jam-packed than ever, with live sets from both Macca and DG, karaoke, a big pub quiz, giveaways and more.
In fact, there’s even set to be tiny talks, panels and other mini-mixers within the event itself.
Now spread across three whole rooms at Fairfield Social Club over in the Green Quarter, there’s room for all kinds of fun to be had.
Before we go any further, it’s also worth mentioning that this small setup is only run by a few, very dedicated and passionate people who love two things: running and partying, which is what makes their charitable efforts even more moving.
As it has done in the past, CCS ’26 will be teaming up with The 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness, who raise money for the region’s homeless population on behalf of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, amassing well over £70k last year alone.
That being said, part of your already very reasonable ticket price goes towards supporting this cause, with early bird tickets priced at just £11.25 (including booking fees), the second release for £13.45, and the final batch still only £15.65.
With lots of clubs already signed up to take part, including MRR, Run MCR, Ancoats Run Club, Levy Runners, Run The Streets – who’ll be hosting an optional social 5k to start the day – and many more, if you’re a runner based in the area, you don’t want to miss this one.
Once again, they’ve got the full venue to themselves all day long, and everyone is welcome; you can secure your spot at Cross Club Social 4 right HERE.
Danny Jones -
17th April 2025 
