Sport

Altrincham FC team up with major Spanish side for a special Non-League Day celebration

Because grassroots is golden the rest doesn't happen without it.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 4th March 2025

Local club Altrincham FC has scored a huge collaboration with a major Spanish side to mark Non-League Day this year, teaming up with none other than Athletic Bilbao for a special crossover.

Altrincham are well and truly on the up, establishing a stronger foothold in the non-league ranks and English footballing pyramid, in general, but we all know how the grassroots game and local clubs need our continued support.

Despite being a much bigger operation and being currently busy battling it out for Champions League places in La Liga, another footballing organisation that knows the vital importance of this and supporting your region is Athletic Club Bilbao.

Joining forces with a handful of smaller UK-based teams sharing the same iconic red and white club colours, Bilbao are helping shed some light on upcoming non-league fixtures, including Alty FC’s home game against Barnet this month.

So why the British-centric collab? Well, as well as being famously and fiercely loyal to their unique region of Spain (only signing players born in the Basque Country or who came through at Basque club – a rule they’ve maintained since 1912) – they also have deep roots in England.

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For starters, that’s why they still go by their Anglicisation and not ‘Atletico’ like their counterparts in Madrid; the club was founded nearly 127 years ago by migrant ship workers from the likes of Sunderland and Southampton as well as students who left the region to study here before eventually returning.

More to the point, as Altrincham wrote in an official statement, “They haven’t forgotten their background, and it struck a chord when they were made aware of English football’s recognition of grassroots football with the inception of Non-League Day.”

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Honing in on half a dozen English teams – Bromsgrove Sporting FC, Evesham United, Sheppey United, Steyning Town, Witton Albion and, of course, Alty – all of whom share the same trademark strip style, they have sent each club one men’s and one women’s team kit to raffle off for Non-League Day 2025.

Better yet, through giving them some added exposure during this annual sporting observance, they’re aiming to spotlight how crucial local football is for communities, from Sunday league all the way up to the top flight. Greater Manchester boasts an embarrassment of riches at both ends of that spectrum.

Credit: Altrincham FC

Set to giveaway the two kits on the day of their promotion hopeful’s fixture against the National League leaders on Saturday, 22 March, there’s even more reason for fans to visit the regularly packed-out J Davidson Stadium.

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As explained in the official press release, staff at Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium are also “preparing an in-depth article about Alty, detailing our history and the tradition behind our home kit, that will be distributed throughout the wide area of their fanatical support at the start of the week leading up to NLD.

In a gesture of solidarity and support, Athletic Club will also be holding their own ‘Basque Non-League Day’ on the same weekend of the match (22-23 March) in collaboration with 93 of their 170 affiliate clubs.

We don’t have a Spanish team per se but it’s safe to say if we did, it would probably be Bilbao.

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Speaking on the partnership, Altrincham FC director John Coyne said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Athletic Club Bilbao to promote Non-League Day on March 22nd.

“This partnership not only celebrates the rich history and community spirit of non-League football but also strengthens the bonds between our clubs.

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“By joining forces, we aim to highlight the vital role that grassroots football plays in nurturing talent and fostering a love for the game.”

You can grab tickets to the game between Alty and Barnet FC HERE but you best be quick as it is on course to be a sell-out crowd.

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

Featured Images — Altrincham FC/Athletic Bilbao

Sport

Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days 

Lonnie Bowes Lonnie Bowes Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days 

There’s a particular kind of Manchester buzz you only get pitch-side. If you’re a seasoned Cityzen this one’s for you – one of three major new hospitality options for your next game day at the Etihad Stadium. 

Tucked in the heart of the new Pep Guardiola Stand, directly behind the goal, we have the brand-new City Hall.

City Hall is built for people who actually want to watch football in comfort, and with a massive 500 capacity hall a stone’s throw from the pitch, it’s a hard one to pass up.

Doors open a full two hours before the match, and that early access turns the day into an occasion rather than a scramble.

There’s time to properly soak up the atmosphere in what is a genuinely lively, buzzing bar, and I have to say potentially one of the best I’ve come across on a match day.

Food and drink are where the local flavour really comes through. The street food menu leans into Manchester’s own identity with a modern twist. 

The catering is relaxed and doesn’t take itself too seriously, let’s just say having a chip barm and chicken madras pie on the run-up to a kick-off is my idea of heaven.

Inside City Hall at the Etihad Stadium
Inside City Hall at the Etihad Stadium

Every guest gets an inclusive drink as part of your booking, too. You get to pick from a selected wine, beer or soft drink which you can claim at any point during your visit.

It’s a setup that suits everyone, whether you’re in it for a proper pre-match pint with your mates or meal with your family before a day of making pitch side memories.

The little touches matter too. A matchday programme is a nice, old-school addition in an era where so much matchday content has gone digital. 

And crucially, the experience doesn’t end at the final whistle: with an hour’s access after the match, there’s no need to bolt for the exits the second the referee blows for full-time. You can sit and finish your drink, and let the ground empty out around you instead of fighting through it.

Put it all together and City Hall feels like hospitality done with an actual sense of place. 

Manchester street food, a proper buzzing bar, and one of the best seats in the house, all wrapped around a schedule that respects the fact that match day is about more than just the 90 minutes. 

For anyone looking to upgrade how they watch City this season, it’s well worth a look.

Have a look and make a booking at City Hall at the Etihad Stadium HERE. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Sport

The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed. Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

The road to one of the biggest nights in rugby league has officially been mapped out, with the 2026 Betfred Super League Grand Final set to return to Manchester’s Old Trafford this October.

Following the final round of regular-season action, the four play-off ties have now been confirmed as the battle for a place at the home of Manchester United enters its final stages.

And there’s plenty for Greater Manchester sports fans to get excited about.

Wigan Warriors have secured the League Leaders’ Shield after an emphatic 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons, with Matt Peet’s side running in nine tries to finish top of the table.

The result keeps Wigan’s hopes of an incredible treble alive, having already lifted the Betfred Challenge Cup back in May.

They’ll now have a week off while the opening play-off ties take place, as will second-placed Leeds Rhinos.

The first eliminator sees Wakefield Trinity welcome Leigh Leopards on Friday 18 September, with kick-off at 8pm.

Then, on Saturday 19 September, Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5.30pm.

The winners of those games will progress to the semi-finals, while the losing sides will face the two highest-ranked teams in the competition.

The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed. Credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed. Credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com

Leeds will host the highest-ranked eliminator loser on Friday 25 September at 8pm.

Then, 24 hours later, Wigan will welcome the lowest-ranked loser to the Brick Community Stadium for their semi-final, with that one kicking off at 5.30pm on Saturday 26 September.

For Wigan, it represents a huge opportunity to take another step towards an historic treble – and ultimately a return to Old Trafford.

The Grand Final itself takes place on Saturday 3 October, with the action getting underway at 6pm.

As ever, the biggest prize in Super League will be decided under the lights at Old Trafford, with the two remaining sides battling it out in front of what is expected to be another huge crowd in Manchester.

The full play-off schedule

  • Friday 18 September: Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards – 8pm, Sky Sports
  • Saturday 19 September: Warrington Wolves v Hull KR – 5.30pm, BBC Sport and Sky Sports
  • Friday 25 September: Leeds Rhinos v highest-ranked eliminator loser – 8pm, Sky Sports
  • Saturday 26 September: Wigan Warriors v lowest-ranked eliminator loser – 5.30pm, BBC Sport and Sky Sports
  • Saturday 3 October: Betfred Super League Grand Final, Old Trafford – 6pm, Sky Sports

So, with just three weeks standing between the play-off opener and the Grand Final, the race for Old Trafford is officially on.

And for Wigan, there’s potentially one more piece of silverware standing between them and a remarkable treble.

Tickets are available HERE.

Featured image: Supplied, Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

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