A schoolboy in Bolton has captured hearts across the nation after using his own savings to to buy a fellow student a brand new pair of football boots.
Xavier had noticed his classmate Eric had been wearing pumps during PE classes since his original shoes had been damaged.
Inspired by his hero Marcus Rashford, Xavier asked his dad if he could use his pocket money to purchase Eric a new pair instead, as he knew it would “make him happy”.
Xavier’s father filmed the moment his son handed over the shiny new pair of boots to Eric – which has since gone viral.
Hundreds of messages have poured in praising Xavier’s altruism.
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The gesture has even caught the eye of the Manchester United star who ‘inspired’ it all in the first place.
“Now THIS. An act of kindness,” Rashford wrote on social media.
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The footballer is now working with Granada Reports to “get a gift” to both Xavier and Eric.
Xavier’s dad, Jason Bonney, told ITV: “Xavier didn’t think it was fair that Eric didn’t have any boots, and he’d got a few comments from other kids asking why he was wearing PE pumps and not football boots.
“Xavier knew it would make him happy buy buying him some.”
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Manchester City fans appeal to Pep Guardiola ahead of planned protest at Wolves game
Danny Jones
A number of Manchester City fan groups have come together to appeal to the club and Pep Guardiola in particular ahead of a planned protest at the Etihad Stadium over season tickets and matchday prices this week.
Man City are set to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this Friday, but with the title now wrapped up and just European football left to secure (not a certainty but still expected), plenty of Blues’ attention has turned to the pressing issue of further impending ticket changes.
Not only are prices going up once again, and season tickets still somehow increasingly scarce/difficult to secure, even despite plans to increase the stadium’s capacity already underway, four different supporters organisations have come together to pen an open letter to Pep personally.
Quoting Pep’s own comments on wanting the stands to be more “alive” on matchday, they begin by writing: “With that in mind, we ask you for one more favour.”
Open letter from 4 groups to Pep Guardiola. The final line is a play on words of our banner earlier this season. In Catalan it says "Pep Guardiola you want US to stay" pic.twitter.com/amatwXkawB
The direct address urges the Catalan coach to implore club CEO, Ferran Soriano, to “do one more good thing” and reconsider their current stance on ticket policies and pricing, with the ‘Flexi-Gold Season Tickets’ advent alone causing considerable controversy.
Leading supporters organisation, The 1894 Group, goes on to add: “The stadium is growing by 8,000 next season and the fans want the club to bring back some real season tickets so that the generational links can be protected.
“The amount of season ticket-holders in the stadium has been shrinking. When fans cannot attend games the club then cannot resell those tickets because they are priced too high. We think the club has time to rethink two issues: season ticket availability and matchday pricing.
“We want the same things as you. A powerful club, with a loud atmosphere in the stadium. Surely the most important thing is to ensure there are no empty seats inside the Etihad?”
Insisting that the Etihad buzz will never reach the heights that Pep has cried out for in recent times, if they do not create better avenues for younger ‘Cityzens’ to attend games and ensure that “generational links can be protected.”
1894 Group are also spearheading a campaign to give a proper send-off to club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who revealed that he wasn’t offered a new contract before deciding to leave at the end of this season.
The day that Blues hoped would never come has arrived…
Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he will be leaving #ManCity. 🥺
Warning that those at the club will not “get the atmosphere you crave if you do not think again” and take their suggestions on board, the overarching goal was put in the simplest terms: “no empty seats inside the Etihad Stadium.”
As for the planned peaceful demonstration itself, a boycott of seats is scheduled to take place before the Wolves fixture at 8pm on Friday, 2 May.
It’s unclear how many in attendance will participate in the protest, but with adults facing £88 and kids up to £58, those inside the ground will no doubt echo their stance.
With Lionness and former Man City Women player Esme Morgan even coming out to criticise the new restrictions regarding season tickets, the profile of this protest is definitely increasing.
Featured Images — Dunk (via Flickr)/ football.ua (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Police launch investigation after six-year-old girl sadly dies in Rochdale collision
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a six-year-old girl was sadly killed during a collision in Rochdale.
Officers are appealing for information after the shocking incident on Monday night (28 April).
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at around 5:35pm, a Range Rover was travelling westbound along Ashfield Road in Rochdale, when it collided with a six-year-old girl who had entered the carriageway.
The girl suffered ‘serious injuries’, but despite the best efforts of the emergency services who attended the scene, she died shortly after, and specialist officers are now supporting her family at this time.
The driver remained at the scene, and no arrests have been made as of yet.
Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are currently investigating the incident and their enquiries are ongoing, so as officers continue their work, they are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, and are urging them come forward with any information.
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information after a child sadly died following a collision in Rochdale last night.
At around 5.35pm a car collided with a six-year-old girl who had entered the carriageway on Ashfield Road.
Appealing to the Greater Manchester public this week, DC Thomas Johnson, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, commented: “I firstly want to pass my condolences onto the family of the girl who tragically died following the collision. The thoughts of everyone from our investigating team are with them and we are continuing to support them where we can.
“As our work progresses, we are asking for anyone with any information to please come forward.
“You may have witnessed last night’s incident, or have relevant CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage. If you can send this to our officers, this would be greatly appreciated as we put together a complete picture of last night’s incident.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 2683 of 28/04/25, or alternatively, you can contact SCIU directly on 0161 856 4741.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
26th March 2021 
