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.
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.
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
Sport
Wigan Warriors finally reveal next season’s kits following update on delayed release
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors have now officially revealed their new shirts for next season, following a much-anticipated update regarding the 2026 kits, the release of which had been delayed.
The Greater Manchester club lost this year’s Grand Final but still had a strong season, and with another local outfit having been relegated from the division, they are one of just two teams from the region competing for the title in the upcoming campaign.
However, supporters were fretting that they might not be able to get their new threads until after Christmas due to the launch of the latest merchandise being postponed.
Thankfully, this week, the club not only informed fans that things are getting back on schedule but also officially revealed the Wigan Warriors home and away shirt strips for the 30th anniversary edition of the Super League on Tuesday afternoon.
As you can see, the nearby rugby outfit is staying with Kappa as their manufacturer and, as ever, is sticking with the deep red, white and black colour combos across both jerseys.
Branding the home shirt as the ‘Loyal’ fit and the away one as their ‘Rebel’ version, the kits both feature horizontal stripes and other geometrical variations.
Most notably, Warriors now have a positive update on the status of the kits’ full launch, even if they don’t have an exact timeline just yet.
Writing to fans in an official statement, the club said: “Wigan Warriors are happy to report that [we are] expecting delivery of the 2026 home and away kits imminently.”
They go on to explain that they have been “experiencing significant delays” regarding the supply pipeline, which they say “were beyond the control of the Club.”
Nevertheless, the cogs are moving once again; you can see a closer look at some of the details below.
The home shirt…A.K.A. ‘Loyal’ kitAnd the away jersey…Or ‘Rebel’ strip
Warriors Chief Executive, Kris Radlinski, continued: “We want to thank everyone for their patience and continued support. Due to issues outside of our control, delivery timelines have unfortunately been impacted.
“We understand how frustrating this has been for supporters, particularly so close to Christmas, and we genuinely share that frustration. Please be assured that our team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure delivery as quickly as possible.
“We apologise that we have not been able to provide an earlier update while matters were ongoing. We are pleased to confirm that the delivery has now cleared customs and will be arriving at the Club imminently.”
Although personalisation will not yet be made available due to a focus on processing “as many orders as possible in the shortest time frame”, pre-orders for both shirts are now live, and those interested are being urged to opt for click and collect/visit in store where possible to avoid any further waiting.
Danny Jones -
4th March 2025 
