Following on from their impressive and closely-ran 2022/23 campaign, Manchester United Women are gearing up for a huge and historic WSL fixture as the Manchester derbyapproaches this month.
After very nearly winning both the Women’s Super League and the Women’s FA Cup last season, not to mention qualifying for the Champions League for the first time ever, Man United Women are looking to build on that progress and put a big marker down against local rivals and fellow title contenders Man City.
Better still, they want to ensure this is an even bigger occasion than ever, as not only is the Women’s Manchester derby being held at Old Trafford for the first time ever but the club is also looking to make the much-anticipated match a historic one by getting as many fans through the doors as possible.
With the women’s team breaking a club record late last year as 30,196 supporters turned up to watch the home side smash Aston Villa 5-0, United are hoping to go one better this year by bringing in even higher attendances and maybe even break the WSL record. There’s no better game to do it in.
The current record for best attendance at a WSL game belongs to Arsenal, who had 54,115 fans travel to the Emirates for their match against Liverpool just last month. The game ended in a 1-0 defeat but saw them smash the previous record, also set by the Gunners themselves (47, 367) against Spurs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Since Old Trafford‘s capacity is nearly 75,000 and the Manchester derby remains a much bigger fixture than its equivalent in North London, both in the men’s and the WSL, surely us Manc can do better? Especially given the fact that match tickets for women’s games are still so affordable no matter how big the team gets.
Manchester, as it has always been, is on the up in every department: music, art, food, fashion and more, but there’s nothing that this city does better than sport. 0161 has always had a deep connection with football but the city is truly becoming one of the biggest champions of the women’s game.
ADVERTISEMENT
The same goes for women’s football, which thanks to the likes of the Lionesses‘ success at Euro 2022 and incredible efforts at the World Cup, is growing larger and faster than ever before and there isn’t another place in the UK where interest is on the rise like it is here in 0161.
The WSL Manchester derby is one of the biggest fixtures on the Manc sporting calendar. (Credit: Man United Women via Instagram)
Setting an example with their performances on and off the pitch and serving as huge ambassadors for the women’s game to a next-generation eager to get stuck in, there aren’t many bigger and more inspiring club fixtures in the world right now than the Manchester derby.
As both teams are on the rise and guaranteed to go neck and neck for the title again this season, this is a game you don’t want to miss and since it’s two of the best teams in the land are played at both major home grounds for the first time in history, they know how big a clash this is — question is, do you?
ADVERTISEMENT
With Manchester at the forefront of women’s football and sport in general as it has always been, not only are they giving you the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a truly special and global movement, but you can even play your part in history by helping them break the attendance record.
Best of all, with tickets to watch the derby between Man United and Man City Women still just £15 for adults and as affordable as £7.50 for under 16s and those over 65, you won’t get many livelier, family-friendly atmospheres than under the light at Old Trafford. You can grab yours HERE.
Featured Image — Manchester United Women/Manchester City (via Instagram)
Sponsored
Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with a huge, free concert that’ll hark back to the 2000s.
The hugely popular shopping destination, where visitors can save big on luxury brands, will be inviting customers to a totally free summer gig on a stage built on site.
It’s part of the wider 30th anniversary celebrations, and will include a headline performance from a top-secret 2000s music act.
All they’ve revealed about the headliner so far is that they have a catalogue of number one singles and beloved hits…
But also on the line-up that has been confirmed is a DJ set from Take That legend Howard Donald, and a hosting slot from Hits Radio DJ Kimberly Wyatt.
There are still supporting acts to be announced in due course, with Cheshire Oaks promising ‘high energy and big personality’.
Taking place in the evening of Friday 6 June, the Cheshire Oaks 30th anniversary party will be free to shoppers and visitors.
And a select group of VIPs from the local community will have the opportunity to meet the mystery headliner in person.
Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be giving back to its local charity partners, including The Hospice of The Good Shepherd, Koala, Flynns Port in the Storm and Claire House amongst others, as well as its staff and their families, with exclusive golden circle access for the best seats in the house.
The anniversary gig is part of the shopping village’s ongoing celebration of its three-decade-long history.
Earlier this year, Cheshire Oaks unveiled its 2025 Style Report, revealing that 63% of Brits now prefer shopping in person rather than online, as well as the resurgence of nostalgic fashion trends from the 90s, from baggy trousers to full denim looks.
It’s the UK’s largest designer outlet, with more than 400,000 sq ft of retail space and more than 165 brands.
Kenny Murray, general manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: “This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of Cheshire Oaks. We have evolved continuously over the last three decades, and now it’s time to celebrate in true style.
“Over our 30 years we’ve built a real sense of community that makes this centre special and we want to celebrate this milestone with the local area and people so close to our heart.
“This summer’s music event, crowned by a secret headline act, promises to be a truly special experience, and a way that we can give back to the loyal customers who have trusted us to bring them the latest fashion trends since the 90s, we can’t wait to enjoy it with them.”
For more information about Cheshire Oaks and its upcoming summer gig, head HERE.
The local property developers helping Mancs buy a home without the large deposit
Emily Sergeant
A North West developer that specialises in creating Shared Ownership homes currently has eight new developments under construction across Manchester.
Getting your foot on theproperty ladder or taking the next step to owning a bigger home can be one of the most challenging things to do and is often not financially viable for a lot of people – and this is whereGecko Homes‘ unique Shared Ownership scheme comes in.
The developer is enabling first time buyers and other qualifying homebuyers to purchase shares in its homes instead.
With deposits from as little as £2,438, the scheme means residents can buy shares ranging from 10% all the way up to 75% instead and then pay rent on the rest, with the option to increase the share percentage at later dates, all the way up to outright ownership.
Gecko Homes is helping Mancs get on the property ladder / Credit: Supplied
As mentioned, the company is currently working on eight new developments across Manchester in some of the city’s most sought-after suburbs, and prospective buyers can now register their interest.
One of the most popular developments currently underway is ‘Tatton Place’ in Sale – which is a redevelopment of a historic Masonic Hall and police station into 31 homes, including two and three-bedroom houses, one and two-bedroom apartments, and several stunning duplexes, all with access to both private and communal gardens.
Another key development is ‘Emerald Way’ over in the popular Manchester suburban town of Chorlton, where prices start from £60,625 for a 25% share, meaning a buyer would only need a deposit of £3,031.
Over in West Didsbury is one of largest ongoing developments called ‘Two Didsbury Point’, which is a £20 million scheme of 76 affordable homes across two connected eight and five-storey blocks – 46 of those being for shared ownership – on the site of the former Withington Hospital, with an outdoor communal terrace and green spaces for residents to enjoy.
Another one of the developments currently in the works that prospective buyers can now register their interest for is ‘Boundary View’, which lies in the thriving Manchester community of Old Trafford.
“Our Shared Ownership model has transformed people’s lives by giving them a way onto the property ladder in a modern, stylish, and high-quality home that they can afford to live in,” explained Christina Tattersall, who is the Head of Sales at Gecko Homes.
Eight developments are currently underway across Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“All of our latest developments are already generating high levels of interest from local people who want to live in some of Manchester’s most popular and vibrant suburbs that all benefit from great amenities and regular transport links.
“Each development will be finished to a very high specification, with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, as well as luxury floorings and quality fixtures and fittings throughout.”
Residents interested in any of these developments are asked to visit Gecko Homes’ website here to find out more and register their details now.
Prices shown are based on 25% Shared Ownership and a 95% LTV mortgage. All properties are bought as leasehold, with full terms applying, and prices shown may be subject to change and are a guide only.
Danny Jones -
3rd November 2023 
