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Gary Neville addresses ‘clumsy like’ on Tweet about Mason Greenwood 

'I obviously condemn any violence against women'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 3rd February 2023

Gary Neville has said that his liking of a tweet about Mason Greenwood has been ‘misinterpreted’. 

The former Manchester United legend and football pundit set off a Twitter storm last night after he ‘liked’ two tweets by Nazir Afzal, and briefly retweeted one. 

The tweets in question said that Greenwood was an ‘innocent man’ and added that ‘you are innocent until PROVEN guilty’.

Mason Greenwood had all criminal charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

He had faced allegations of rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault, all against the same woman. 

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The CPS said that Greenwood case had been stopped because of ‘the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light’, adding that there was no longer a ‘realistic prospect of conviction’. 

Gary Neville
Gary Neville has spoken about his ‘clumsy like’ of a tweet professing Mason Greenwood’s innocence. Credit: Instagram, Gary Neville

Several people noticed that Neville had liked a tweet about Greenwood’s ‘innocence’ and quickly challenged him on it. 

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One person shared a screenshot and wrote: “You have a massive platform and you’re liking bulls**t like this just because the monster plays for a team you support. you’re disgusting @GNev2.”

Neville has now addressed his ‘clumsy like’. 

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He posted: “I liked a tweet relating to the Mason Greenwood news this afternoon from Nazir Afzal. ( the former director of public prosecutions ). 

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“This like is being misinterpreted. It was a clumsy like as I obviously condemn any violence against women.”

Greenwood issued a short statement yesterday, writing: “I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.”

Featured image: Instagram, @garyneville2 / publicity picture

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Bury FC manager steps down just two days after appointment following major backlash over history

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bury FC manager Michael Jolley quits after backlash over sex offence conviction

In case you missed the news over the weekend, Bury FC manager Michael Jolley stepped down just two days after joining the club following major backlash to his appointment.

The uproar and almost immediate U-turn came in response to his past conviction.

Jolley, 48, pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old girl back in 2009, but maintains the woman never disclosed her true age.

After learning of his history, the club were met with a significant amount of stick from Bury fans and other football supporters, leading Jolley himself to quickly resign. Confirming the outcome by mutual decision, the club revealed his departure on Sunday afternoon.

Sharing an official statement, The Shakers wrote: “The Board recognises the strength of feeling expressed in recent days by supporters, staff, partners and players, and the very real impact the Board’s decision to appoint Michael has had on individuals connected to the Club…

“We will also be engaging directly with players, staff and stakeholders to listen, learn and ensure that appropriate support is available. Our immediate priority is the welfare of our people and the stability of the Club and our community. 

“We believe this step is necessary to help restore confidence, create space for reflection, and allow Bury FC to move forward in a way that reflects our values and responsibilities.

“Bury Football Club remains committed to acting with integrity, transparency and respect. Further updates will be shared when appropriate.”

Confirming that the assistant manager, Tim Lees (who helped lead the side to a 2-1 victory over Mossley AFC at home this weekend), will be leading the team as interim head coach for the time being, they also noted that Jolley insists he didn’t want his signing to place unwanted attention on the club.

Wishing them the best in their search for the next man to take them forward, and believe they have a “special connection” with their local community.

Jolley states he made higher-ups aware of his past conviction before being interviewed for the job, as he explains in a lengthy statement of his own, which was released before Bury’s own announcement.

Addressing the situation on social media, the Sheffield-born former Grimsby and Barrow boss said: ‘After a period of reflection over the weekend, it has become apparent that my appointment at Bury FC has become a distraction for the club and so I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become first team manager…

“Additionally, I welcome the fact that every investigation into the incident, whether through the legal process, or the subsequent investigations by the UK government, The FA, all established through evidence that I was deceived and at no time did I act maliciously.

“All three organisations concluded that there was no evidence which should prevent me from continuing my career, and that is what I have done, periodically, since that time. I consider safeguarding a critical aspect of coaching and have always delivered safe practice 100% of the time throughout my career.”

As he explains in the full document, “16 and a half years later, [his] CRB check has long since shown as clear, but in the interests of transparency and openness”, he still ensures any prospective employers are made aware of the case.

He goes on to say that he has become used to the abuse inside stadiums and online, given the nature of football fan culture, but now that he has a young family, he makes it clear that they are a key factor in the decision as he looks to prioritise their safety and wellbeing before his own.

The local outfit is once again looking for a new steward to steer them back in the right direction and, hopefully, away from any more intrigue and/or controversy. A return to the EFL still seems a way off, but who would you like to see installed as the gaffer at Gigg Lane, Shakers?

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Featured Images — Sam Hutchinson (via Wikimedia Commons)/Bury FC (via Instagram)

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Brits are petitioning to give ‘SIR’ Kevin Sinfield the knighthood he deserves

Danny Jones Danny Jones Sir Kevin Sinfield knighthood rule change petition

An impassioned Brit, along with nearly 100,000 others, are championing a petition to give a Greater Manchester sporting role model a knighthood.

The UK is long overdue for a SIR Kevin Sinfield, if you ask us.

Yes, now five years after his first remarkable charity challenge in the form of his inaugural ‘seven in seven’ ultra-marathon, our very own Kevin Sinfield officially completed his sixth edition of the fundraising feat earlier this month.

Having now raised more than £1.2 million for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in memory of his friend and former late, great, Leeds Rhinos teammate, Rob Burrow – and that just this year alone.

To take into account every penny he’s helped generate for the crucial neurological cause, he’s helped welcome in excess of £11 million since he started this tributary journey nearly six whole years ago.

Sinfield has become nothing short of a national hero over the last few years, and the people think it’s about time he is recognised with the highest honour.

The Oldham-born native has already been given a trio of notable awards, including an MBE, OBE and CBE, which also means he doesn’t technically qualify to be considered for a knighthood until 2027 at the very earliest.

However, the petition’s creator, Mel Handforth, believes that an exception should be made and the “arcane” rules around the New Year’s Honours should be changed to allow Sinfield (and, indeed, others) to be celebrated more promptly.

Even the Speaker for the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, is one of many to have argued for the stipulation to be scrapped.

Despite countless calls for him to be included in the most recent list, which saw the likes of David Beckham finally made a knight, he was overlooked due to the three-year gap protocol.

He also somehow missed out on being shortlisted for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, though you can guarantee he would have plenty of votes from the general public – especially here in the region and, indeed, over in his adopted second home of Yorkshire.

You can see who did make it onto this year’s list down below.

The shortlist for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards has been revealed
Who’s your ‘SPOTY’ this year?

Sinfield and Burrow were actually recognised at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards a few years ago, when both were given special commendation for their pioneering charitable work on behalf of motor neurone disease and assosciated charities.

The same happened again at the Pride of Britain a year later, and the retired rugby league player turned union coach was also handed an honorary degree by the University of Leeds in July 2024, just a month after Burrow sadly passed away.

But Sinfield has quite literally had the backing of millions to be made ‘Sir Kevin’ for well over half a decade now; we made him our ‘Manc of the Month’ back in November ’22, and our stance on him being given a knighthood is even clearer now than it was back then.

As Handforth writes in the bio of the Change.org petition: “The words ‘legend’ and ‘hero’ are often handed out, but Kevin Sinfield truly embodies them both. He’s not doing this for recognition – he’s doing it because he cares deeply about the MND community and honouring his friend Rob’s legacy.

“Let’s show Kevin that his nation stands with him. Sign this petition to urge the Honours Committee to recognise Sir Kevin Sinfield for his remarkable service to humanity.”

If you agree, you can sign the petition to make him Sir Kevin Sinfield right HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Gerard Barrau (Picsaweb)/Fleets (via Wikimedia Commons)

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