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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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
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Injury-stricken Stockport County book place in another playoff final at Wembley
Danny Jones
A somewhat makeshift Stockport County squad have booked themselves yet another trip to Wembley in the League One playoff final following a comfortable second leg win over Stevenage FC.
They did it with two fine finishes, as well.
Beating Stevenage 3-0 overall on aggregate, the Hatters secured a third visit to the capital under manager Dave Challinor, who continues to boast an impressive record of either promotion or reaching the knockout stages in almost every single year of his career as a coach.
With three-time Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry opening the scoring with a fine finish and top scorer-turned centre-half, Kyle Wootton, getting back on the scoresheet, even from defence, it was a night to remember for supporters in SK3.
With Barry having not only come back to the club for yet another loan spell but having quickly returned to form after scoring yet another big and important goal for County, not to mention a first senior career hat-trick in a 3-1 against Peterborough back in April, he was one of the stars on the night.
Meanwhile, Wootton – who was leading the race in terms of goalscoring before numerous defensive injuries saw him moved to centre-back (now several games into his run at the heart of the backline) – still proved to be a threat in the opposition box via set-pieces as he has done all season.
Barring a slightly fortunate deflection, some fans may have argued it was an even better take than the opener from the 22-year-old. He received praise from fellow former striker and veteran EFL player, Troy Deeney, after the match.
Speaking from an ex-pro and now manager’s perspective, he applauded the 29-year-old’s “ego check” and willingness to effectively give up the race for the golden boot, telling CBS Sports: “I don’t know a striker that I’ve ever met that would do that.”
But here’s what it means…
THEY'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY ‼️
Stockport County fans invade the pitch after victory in the EFL League One semifinal playoffs 👏 pic.twitter.com/NvCuDfD6qF
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 13, 2026
As for Challinor, the gaffer praised the Edgeley Park crowd, crediting them for keeping the energy up in and around some lulls in the game and resisting the slip into complacency.
Thanking them in a video on social media following the full-time whistle, Barry acknowledged them as “the 12th man”, with Wootton urging them to get behind the boys for “one more” game as they aim to “get the job done.”
Stockport County will face either Bradford City or local Greater Manchester rivals Bolton Wanderers in the third-tier conclusion, with the other semi-final kicking off at 8pm tonight. Who do you think is going to go all the way?
You can see the highlights from the decisive game down below.
Danny Jones -
15th May 2026 
