American Wrexham fan’s reaction to getting a ticket to Stockport County goes viral
Let's be clear: being that emotional to go and see your club is quite sweet — the fact she flew all the way over to experience Edgeley, of all places, is just a bit jarring.
An American Wrexham AFC fan who managed to get her hands on a first-ever ticket to see The Red Dragons in person has gone viral on social media, not only because of her emotional reaction but because the destination she flew over for was none other than Stockport.
Wrexham have gained a massive influx of fans over the past couple of years following their blockbuster buyout at the hands of celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with even more coming along for the ride after watching the accompanying Welcome to Wrexham documentary.
That being said, most Americans who still might be relatively new football fans certainly wouldn’t have been expected to be spending their hard-earned cash travelling over to Britain to watch their side in Wales, let alone away here in Greater Manchester. Then again, not every fan is Dana Burkey.
As much as she was clearly excited and seemingly very emotional to receive a ticket for her first game, footy fans obviously found it hilarious that this poor lady paid what we can only assume was an obscene amount to travel to Edgeley in Stockport, only to watch her team get battered by County 5-0.
Yes, unfortunately for this recently converted Wrexham supporter and avid fan of the FX documentary series, after travelling to none other than Stockport to watch her beloved Dragons, she received the full hospitality of Edgeley Park in the form of an absolute thumping by the home side.
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As if this mini-tragicomedy wasn’t already poetic enough, for many it was even funnier that the heavy defeat came against the same team that denied them promotion from the National League two seasons prior and whom so much of the series’ drama and heartache centred around to begin with.
There were nearly 10,000 in attendance for the League Two match on Saturday as Dave Challinor‘s side recorded their biggest win since the 6-0 against Wycombe Wanders in 2007, thanks to a hattrick from Isaac Olaofe, a goal and assist from high-flying loanee Louie Barry, and a finishing touch from captain Paddy Madden.
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It’s safe to say the fixture has struck up somewhat of a rivalry between the two clubs of late, so once Hatters and neutrals alike caught wind of Burkey flying over from the US to watch the game in person, they were having a field-day even before they saw the score at full-time.
As many noted online, while it won’t have been the day out in Stockport Dana was hoping for, at least she was part of a real football experience; there’s nothing that tests your resolve as a fan more than travelling to an away game and paying all that money only to see your team get battered.
To be fair, whatever she spent flying over here probably isn’t far off how much a train to Euston from Piccadilly sets us back these days.
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You can see the highlights of Stockport 5-0 Wrexham down below — though we’re sure this particular fan won’t want to watch it back anytime soon.
Featured Image — Dana Burkey/Stockport County/Gaz Drinkwater (via Twitter)
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Cole Palmer wins Premier League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred footballer, Cole Palmer, has won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24 following a spectacular breakthrough campaign.
The ex-Manchester City youth product made his big-money move to Chelsea at the start of this season and has been comfortably one of the best players in the league this year, once again proving the old adage that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Sitting second in the race for the Golden Boot behind former teammate Erling Haaland and shining as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe in his first full season, you could have banked on him winning it months ago.
🔵⭐️ OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. 🧊
Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/HYpthQiOU3
Having bagged a hattrick in Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround against Manchester United as well as bagging four against Everton, just to name a couple of his most impressive performances over the past 12 months, he doesn’t like a player who only made a handful of appearances last year.
With the 22-year-old fittingly netting 22 goals not to mention 10 assists and quickly establishing himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s main man, despite the multi-billion squad assembled around him, it’s been nothing short of a remarkable emergence onto the biggest stage.
Having earned his first senior international call-up through his efforts too, he now looks set to be one the players England fans are dying to see start at the Euros – the point where many Blues are now wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Congratulations to the Wythenshawe native on his well-deserved award and we sincerely look forward to seeing what he does in an England shirt this summer.
As for who will pick up the outright Premier League Player of the Year, surely Palmer picking up the youth award means that Phil Foden is set to mop up the main prize?
A clean sweep for Manc footballers. We like the sound of that.
Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes rematch confirmed as UFC’s main Manchester fight card is revealed
Danny Jones
Local fighter Tom Aspinall’s next opponent has finally been confirmed as the running order for the UFC’s return to Manchester has been revealed.
The Manc MMA star and interim heavyweight champion was always a certainty for his home event but with the main fight card for the UFC 304 at Co-op Live arena unveiled at last, we now know that the Salfordian will once again be facing off against Curtis Blaydes.
Not only will this be Aspinall‘s first title defence but it will also see the pair meet for the first time since their original 2022 bout was cut short just 15 seconds into the fight after the 31-year-old injured his knee and was unable to continue.
Civility aside, the two have had a score to settle ever since and judging by his reaction following the announcement, he’s clearly keen to finish what he started.
Now 14 wins into his career and with a belt to back it up, we’re expecting big things from the self-proclaimed ‘Honey Badger’ – especially with a name like that.
Fellow English fighters Leon Edwards and Scouse star Paddy Pimblett will all be joining Aspinall on the big night, showing just how much the UK MMA scene has grown.
Jamaican-born Brit Edwards, 32, is currently on a 13-fight unbeaten streak and will defend his welterweight title against American Belal Muhammad, who is also unbeaten in his last 10 fights.
Announcing the full 304 fight card on social media, UFC president Dana White described the Manchester crowds as “incredible” and there’s evident excitement around being the first sports event to grace the brand-new arena.
While there has been lots of criticism over the start times given that the fights will be taking place in the early hours for the benefit of American TV audiences, it’s still a huge deal to have the UFC coming back to 0161, especially with a Manchester native flying high at the top of the heavyweight division.
Not only is this the first time the franchise has been back to the city since 2016 but it’s also only the fourth time an event will have been held in the UK full stop.
Getting underway on Saturday, 27 July, Aspinall vs Blaydes II fight date is set to start at 3am local time and fans will be able to watch it live on TNT Sport.
As for those of you looking to go along and see the action in person, you can queue up to get your tickets HERE.