Oldham Athletic player Hallam Hope is said to have been seriously injured following a ‘vicious assault’ outside the club’s stadium on Saturday 3 September.
Confirming the news in a statement posted on Monday, the club detailed that the 28-year-old footballer was attacked in the car park outside their Boundary Park stadium.
Hope, an attacking midfielder for the Latics, played the full 90 minutes in their 2-0 defeat to Chesterfield FC this weekend, before being targeted as he was leaving the premises.
The born and bred Manc is said to have ‘sustained serious injuries which required hospital treatment’ and is now expected to be ‘out of action for some weeks.’
Credit: Hallam Hope Instagram/Twitter – Hope’s Instagram story and representing Barbados
He updated and thanked fans with a message posted to his Instagram story, writing: “Appreciate all the messages, minor setbacks, major comebacks.”
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Hope joined Everton’s youth academy back in 2005 following a trial at Manchester City and played for the Toffees for two years at senior level.
He then went on to enjoy spells at Bury, Sheffield Wednesday, Carlisle and Swindon Town before joining Oldham in 2021. Despite representing England as a youth player, he ultimately declared for the Barbados national team in 2018 after qualifying through his father’s heritage.
Oldham fans and the club were obviously devastated to hear about his ‘dreadful experience’, with many adding that it couldn’t have come at a worse time as the creative outlet had gotten off to a great start to this year’s campaign.
Netting three goals in seven appearances already, many Twitter users stated that ‘he’s been our best player this season’ and that they ‘hope they find the scumbags’ responsible.
After last season I can’t believe I’m saying this but gutted Hallam Hope is out. Has worked his socks off this season. #oafc
Oldham AFC confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police and CCTV footage has been handed over in relation to the incident. That being said, they said they will refrain from making further comments while the investigation is still in process.
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They concluded their statement by reassuring “the club is supporting Hallam and will continue to do so. We wish him a speedy recovery from a dreadful experience.”
Get better soon, Hallam.
Featured Image — Oldham AFC
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Danny Jones -
5th September 2022 
