Local gaffer Leighton Mills has shared a public statement after he reluctantly stepped away from his position as manager of Darwen FC, with many supporters shocked to learn he had resigned from the role effective immediately.
Darwen confirmed that Mills had resigned over the weekend following their most recent fixture in the First Division North of the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL), but now Leighton himself has come out to clarify some crucial factors behind the decision.
The Bolton-based manager recently celebrated his first anniversary in post at the Lancashire club, with their social media having only just written, “What a year it has been. Memorable ‘El Hotpot’ home win. Eight wins in a row. Made the Anchor a fortress”, and adding “This is only the beginning” on 30 August.
However, while there was clearly a keenness from both the administration and the fans for him to continue in the role, the former Daisy Hill FC boss felt compelled to part ways only half a dozen games into the season. Much to the “regret” of Darwen FC, here’s why…
Detailing an “unexpected meeting with the owner/chairman” following their 1-1 draw against Fulwood AFC, Mills revealed that he was informed the club were “no longer able to offer the 25/26 player budget as agreed to in pre-season due to sponsor issues.”
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He explained that this would have left him with “less than half of the initially agreed budget and a squad of players meeting said budget”, before being given two options: either inform the team that their weekly wages were being halved, or release these players and start from scratch.
An ex-player around Greater Manchester himself – going to work in scouting for Preston and even serving as Director of Football at Prestwich Heys amidst management roles – he stated that “neither of these proposed options sat right with [him]…
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“I have too much respect for my lads to ask them to play for a wage that does not match their abilities on the pitch. Over the last 12 months, myself, Connor [Hughes, assistant coach] and the management team, have put our hearts and souls into developing a squad who can compete in the top five of the league.
“I strongly believe the squad we had had the ability to go far in NW Counties, and we were all so excited to see what we could achieve this season, but unfortunately, this has now come to an end.
His winning streak and record at home, in particular, certainly gave ‘The Salmoners’ plenty to cheer about over the past year.
Mills went on to add: “I would like to thank everyone at Darwen FC for welcoming me, my management team and my ideas to the club little over 12 months ago. I wish the club and the new manager nothing but success for the rest of the 25/26 campaign.”
“Lastly, THE FANS.. you’ve got us through the tough times – thank you for welcoming me, supporting me and trusting in my vision over the last 12 months. You are a credit to the football club!
“As much as I am devastated to of left an incredible club like Darwen, I know it’s the right decision for me. This chapter is now closed, it’s time to open a new one…”
With other projects outside of sport, such as being the founder and director of Open Air Bounce in Over Hulton back in BL5, we’re sure he’ll be plenty busy in his time away from football – however long or short that may be.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
24-hour bus services are now running across all Greater Manchester boroughs
Emily Sergeant
24-hour bus services are now running across all boroughs in Greater Manchester.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy… and now it’s official, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched those 24-hour buses this month, along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford now join the rest of Greater Manchester in having 24-hour bus services, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that these new services will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
The routes which will run around the clock from Thursday until Sunday are:
50 (Salford – Manchester)
216 (Tameside – Manchester)
263 (Trafford – Manchester)
192 (Stockport – Manchester)
83 (Oldham – Manchester)
All Greater Manchester boroughs now have 24-hour bus services / Credit: TfGM
They launch alongside the most significant service changes to the Bee Network since the completion of bus franchising last year – including other new bus routes, and more frequent services across Greater Manchester.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy everything Greater Manchester offers, without the worry of how to get there and get home,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“By growing the Bee Network, we’re making it easier than ever for people to use the bus, day and night.
“Our night buses are already providing a lifeline to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who are growing our night-time economy and working in essential public services.”
“Whether people are heading home from a night at the theatre or starting the early shift at a hospital, they can now get on board the night bus as a safe and affordable way to travel.”
Further improvements will delivered from January 2027, and a full breakdown by borough can be found on the Bee Network website here.
Danny Jones -
9th September 2025 
