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.
Who are the favourites to replace Shaun Maloney as new Wigan Athletic manager?
Danny Jones
With Wigan Athletic legend Shaun Maloney having been officially sacked by the club after just over two years at the helm of the Greater Manchester side, fans are now starting to wonder who are the among the favourites to his replacement him as the next manager.
Maloney, who shone as a player at the club from 2011-2015, was put in charge back in January 2023 amidst an extremely difficult few years for the club following the collapsed takeover during the pandemic, record losses of £17.5 million last year, the eventual ownership transition and more.
Nevertheless, his departure was announced on Sunday morning following a 2-1 defeat to Reading at home, leaving the Latics in 15th on 39 points and a somewhat precarious pocket just above the relegation zone.
Having been lauded by many supporters for his valiant efforts in keeping the team afloat during his time at the club, the news hasn’t sat well with a good chunk of the fan base.
Absolute joke of a club. You’ve majorly let maloney down. Then pot him. Embarrassing.
The club expressed plenty of gratitude for the former Scottish footballer, recalling how “Shaun stuck by the Club and helped us overcome an eight-point deduction and a squad overhaul to retain our 2023/24 League One status comfortably with matches to spare.”
Insisting that he helped them enjoy a number of “proud moments” including “three memorable victories over rivals Bolton Wanderers, just to name a few”, they also credited him with bringing through a lot of promising young players who, helping both the club and them in their respective careers.
“However, it cannot be overlooked that the current League One campaign has clearly not progressed as anticipated”, the statement continued, stating that the “Board felt that it was time for a change.”
Now, while Wigan are assuring they will take appropriate time before appointing his successor, a fair few names have already been floated. Here’s how the bookies odds are looking at present:
Ryan Lowe – 1/2
Ian Evatt – 8/1
Paul Warne – 10/1
Glenn Whelan – 12/1
Michael Appleton, Jon Brady, Leam Richardson – 16/1
With former Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe thought to be the frontrunner after quitting his previous job back in August; despite initial reports claiming he has been sacked, it is now though the decision was made by mutual consent.
Seemingly second in line is recent local rival Ian Evatt, who was let go by Bolton following an emergency meeting back in January. Although things did end great for Evatt, he did get the Troitters promoted to League One and won the EFL Trophy in the 2022/23 season.
Whoever is ultimately picked, even former players aren’t exactly on board with dismissing Maloney:
A legend of the club.
Thank you for everything you did for me and my teammates under impossible circumstances.
You won’t find another manager who cares about Wigan Athletic more than Shaun Maloney 💙 https://t.co/9wVZNpejIf
Walsall’s Mat Sadler and former Swansea City head coach Luke Williams have also been foated as potential replacements, though there are by no means among the favourites to be selected as the next Wigan manager.
Regardless of how much competitive success he achieved in his turbulent tenure, you don’t get fan edits like the one below without making an impact and leaving an impression. He’ll be missed around the DW Stadium, there’s no question about it.
Who would you like to see at the next Wigan manager, ‘Tics?
BOX sports bar on Deansgate is putting on the perfect night out for fans of horse racing
Danny Jones
With Cheltenham Festival 2024 coming up, both casual punters and die-hard horse racing fans are getting ready for the massive sporting weekend and Deansgate’s beloved sports bar, BOX, has come up with the perfect event to get in the mood for it.
Put simply, if you like the thrill of horse racing or the idea of race day vibes but aren’t so keen on the real thing, this might be perfect for you.
Simply dubbed ‘Race Night’, the new monthly series combines the virtual world and interactive games with one of the biggest sporting disciplines on the planet, as well as plenty of booze and food to go along with it. Oh yeah, and plenty of friendly competition, of course.
Revolving around a virtual horse racing simulator which everyone inside the bar can get involved with, BOX’s mini Manc version of Cheltenham has already got underway and you can be a part of it – plus it goes towards a good cause too.
Having now visited ourselves, we can confirm Race Night brings a proper party atmosphere and a healthy dose of wanting to rub your victory in your friends’ faces.
Don’t worry, they get plenty of those too, even if not the bragging rights all for themselves.
As you can see, it’s all quite simple: you place bets on the virtual horse racing events via your phone and watch the heats live on the many big screens located around BOX bar’s massive Manchester venue on the main Deansgate strip.
With a total of five races to try and win during the night, you’ll have plenty of chances to holler your head off and cheer on your winner. Whether you’re a pro, a ‘once-a-year flutter’ kind of person, or just joining your mates for a laugh, we can certainly voucher for the vibes.
Better yet, beyond the user-fuelled action on the telly, there’s plenty more entertainment to be enjoyed on the night, from BOX‘s regular DJs and live music to plenty of other interactive party games to give other guests a chance to win extra prizes.
A very fun and often silly party. (Credit: The Manc Group)
‘What’s the top prize?’, we hear you ask: how does a £200 bar tab sound?
Even from entry, your £5 entry fee scores you a complimentary glass of prosecco upon arrival and, as always, there’s plenty of delicious food and drink to tide you over throughout the night.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how Race Night works:
Guests place their bets with fun money tokens through our virtual bookies on their phones.
You can bet on multiple horses per race but you are only paid out for the winner.
This payout goes directly into each of their betting accounts so will change throughout the event.
Odds are worked out via the software and vary by however many people bet on the same horse.
Races are pre-recorded – it all comes down to the luck of which horse you pick.
The winner is the person at the end who has the most fun money in their betting account.
The overall winner gets a £200 bar tab.
Table downstairs for our live band at 9pm.
Two rounds of the ‘Chair Jockey’ game: first to pop the balloon gets a round of shots for their table.
Put your inhibitions aside, folks – there’s booze to be won. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Set to happen every month, with the next event taking place from 7-9pm on Friday, 14 March – the week of this year’s Cheltenham Festival – you don’t want to miss out on the unique virtual and immersive sporting event.
You’ll also be glad to hear that all profits from the tickets, which are again just a fiver, will be donated to MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association), with a guaranteed minimum donation of £2.50.
Before you inevitably get off your seat to cheer on a digital horse and jockey, you can book yours HERE.
With just a few days left of the competition, it also happens to be one of the best places to watch the 2025 Six Nations.
Danny Jones -
4th March 2025 
