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.
americans crying with happiness because they get to go to stockport is actually mental https://t.co/XwiEd2OQUA
Can’t beat that view when you’re coming into the station Stockport.
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.
An American Wrexham Fan in Stockport > An American Werewolf in London.
Featured Image — Dana Burkey/Stockport County/Gaz Drinkwater (via Twitter)
Sport
A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Tom Aspinall, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and more set to join latest Fight Day 5k in Manchester
Danny Jones
Big names from the world of combat sports are returning to town, not just for the next boxing match happening in Greater Manchester, but for the now regular Fight Day 5k alongside it.
Organised with promoters Matchroom Boxing, local club Manchester Road Runners (MRR), along with a number of other sponsors like Everlast, they’re hoping to make this one of their biggest yet.
Plus, with the likes of Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall in tow and Eddie Hearn himself set to lead the route around central Manchester, there’s just as much reason to be excited by the morning run as there is the next fight.
This event has happened multiple times in 0161 before, but with more people expected to turn up than ever and a homegrown fighter following up later in the day, this one feels extra special.
Scheduled fresh on Good Friday, 3 April (after all, fighters get up earlier than most), the 5k jog around the city centre will be hosted from House of Social – who have been teaming up with MRR for weekly running events since last November – and a whole host of other familiar names are due to join in.
Better still, there’ll be lots of fun to be had later on too, with participants encouraged not only to turn up early and soak up the atmosphere, but to stick around afterwards for a chance to meet Matchroom talents, as well as enjoy a thoroughly deserved post-run drink and chill.
Plus, in case you haven’t tried it before, the scran at House of Social is top-notch and well worth a try.
This latest Fight Day 5k is, of course, being hosted ahead of Sale-born rising star Pat Brown taking on Vasil Ducar on Friday night.
Facing off against the Czech fighter at the Planet Ice arena in Altrincham, the native Team GB boxer couldn’t have put things plainer in his pre-match presser…
So much for trash-talk: he just told everyone how it is.
This will be just the 26-year-old’s sixth fight as a pro, but having won all of his first five fights last year by knockout, we have a sneaking suspicion 2026 is going to be his year.
In terms of his opponent, Ducar is a much more experienced challenge than he’s ever faced before, with a record of 19-7-2 – 14 of those wins also being KOs.
There are still tickets left for the fight, which will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN from 7pm (ringwalks at approximately 9:39pm), and for those of you who want to join in with the partnered Fight Day 5k, you can sign up completely free right HERE.
Danny Jones -
24th September 2023 
