Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is set to take on a legendary Manchester DJ as well as multiple former footballers in a charity football match, including multiple ex-England internationals.
Now eight years into representing the ten boroughs, Burnham’s latest charitable effort comes on behalf of iconic Manc venue and community cornerstone, Salford Lads and Girls Club (SLGC), which has sprouted some of the region’s most important musical and sporting talents.
Set to face the one and only Mike Sweeney – a veteran BBC broadcaster and legendary Salfordian radio DJ – as well as a number of retired pros, in hopes of raising money for SLGC, the charity game is taking place very soon.
And by soon, we mean this month. You can hear all about it from the man himself:
As explained by Sweeney, now 77, the meeting between his all-stars and Burnham’s boys is scheduled to take place on 11 May, with a 2pm kick-off.
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The Premier League’s already wrapped up, this is the real ‘Super Sunday’.
Enlisting the help of Manchester United legend, not to mention Treble and Champions League winner, Paul Scholes, there is some serious talent on show.
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Mayor Burnham, on the other hand, has managed to sign Bolton Wanderers legend, as well as former Manchester City player-manager and England international, Peter Reid, who is still raring and ready to lace up his boots at the age of 68.
Sweeney is actually an England player himself, in case you didn’t know, currently representing the over-75s national team. A man of many talents.
As for who else, the complete squads are yet to be fully confirmed, but the starting XIs will be made up of other members from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and more hand-picked by the local legend.
The match is set to take place at AFC Monton’s New Alder Park (just off Worsley Road, M30 8JN) and, best of all, entry to the ground will be completely FREE, with those attending encouraged to donate as much as they like to Salford Lads and Girls Club on the door.
Speaking ahead of the game, Sweeney said: “Salford Lads and Girls Club is incredibly close to my heart and I can’t think of a better cause to put this game to.
“It will be a welcome change switching the battle of the studio to the football pitch where I can flex my international credentials, while raising as much money as we can for this amazing club.”
As for the Mayor, he wrote in a statement following the announcement: “SLGC is an iconic institution which has provided a lifeline to many of the most vulnerable in our communities. When we were told the club was in real jeopardy last year, we knew we had to do all we could to help.
“It was fantastic to see all the money raised in such a short space of time to save the club, but we want to go further to make sure the club is safe and invested in for the future. This is why the legacy fund is so important.”
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“We’re incredibly grateful to Andy Burnham, Mike Sweeney, and every player stepping up to take part in this special match.
Laura Slingsby, CEO of Salford Lads and Girls Club, signed off by adding: “We’re incredibly grateful to Andy Burnham, Mike Sweeney, and every player stepping up to take part in this special match.
“Events like this help us raise funds and shine a light on the life-changing support Salford Lads and Girls Club continues to offer young people across Salford.
“This is more than just a game. It’s a celebration of community, heritage, and hope for the future. We can’t wait to see everyone pitchside cheering them on!”
Who are you cheering on, ‘Sporting Sweeney’ or ‘Burnham FC’? Doesn’t matter either way – a beloved community cornerstone is the real winner either way.
Here’s our petition for ‘Wonderwall’ to become England’s new football anthem
Danny Jones
All things considered, England have made a great start to the 2026 World Cup, pitching themselves as one of the great entertainers this tournament, and the scenes of the supporters and players alike serenading an entire stadium with ‘Wonderwall’ after the full-time whistle gave us chills.
So why not time for a change?
After all, that feels a lot like what this World Cup squad is about: a new manager, new teammates, not clinging to the previous ways of playing – and perhaps it’s time to put ‘Sweet Caroline’ to one side.
Now, we’re by no means saying that we’re ‘done’ with the John Denver anthem that has been reborn as a Three Lions anthem, but look at how good it was watching England belting out Oasis with the fans.
“Today is gonna be the day that England beat Croatia 4-2”, as BBC’s Match of the Day cleverly quipped.
Obviously, we’re biased as Mancs, but we also think there’s something special about having that particular track feel so good to hear again.
As much as we love Oasis, for a long time, it felt like we couldn’t enjoy arguably their biggest-ever single anywhere near as much as we once did.
We assume it’s something akin to hearing ‘Mr Brightside’ non-stop for what felt like millennia, and in truth, hearing those repetitions of “ba, ba, ba… SO GOOD, SO GOOD!” over and over again at sporting fixtures beyond just national team games has taken the magic out of it at times.
Perhaps it’s just a case of saturation in certain settings and songs simply being overplayed – FIFA’s co-hosts over in the US certainly helped see to that when it came to ‘Wonderwall’ for a long time.
On the other hand, it feels like we’ve now come full circle; singing those famous lyrics at the top of our lungs in a sea of Mancs and fans travelling from all over to Heaton Park for Live ’25 last year felt better than ever, and like we’d all remembered how great a tune it’s always been. So did this…
In fact, this felt so emotional that you’ve got people who aren’t even English praising both those on the pitch and up in the stands for the moment online.
Even the admittedly rather American Man vs Food himself, Adam Richman (though he does have British ancestry), felt compelled to write a moving response on social media: “Shut up. You’re the one that’s crying. Bravo, England.”
He’s far from the only one who was left bowled over by the atmosphere – us included.
What do you think? Is it time for a new go-to tournament anthem for the Three Lions moving forward?
Featured Images — Oasis/ITV Sport (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester United set to release two classic remake kits, including a ‘blackout’ shirt
Danny Jones
Manchester United are reportedly planning to release not just one, but another two classic remake kits, based on one of their most recognisable shirts of all time.
As many other teams have done for special anniversaries and limited edition strips, one of them is set to be a ‘blackout’ version of the iconic design, too.
Having already dropped a re-release of the 1990-92 ‘snowflake’ away kit this past April, along with various other bits of lifestyle/casualwear, the success of their retro range needs no explanation.
With that in mind, supporters who remember the initial Adidas era, football fashionistas and collectors alike will no doubt be clamouring to get their hands on either or both of these shirts.
The right-hand side is an educated prediction by the outlet. (Credit: Footy Headlines)
Based on the same adidas Originals template initially used for the 1986-88- home kit, according to the ever-reliable Footy Headlines, a similar faithful recreation is scheduled to go on sale later this year.
We’ve already heard rumblings of a Man United fourth kit expected to be added to their rotation for the upcoming campaign, but this is thought to be separate from the match-worn 2026/27 alternate.
As you can see, the rumoured ’86 remake by United will mark 30 years since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson first took charge of the club, before going on to spend the best of three decades there himself.
Featuring the traditional ‘adi trefoil’ logo and the famous Sharp Electronics sponsor on the front, as well as the sublimated old school pattern – just as seen with the aforementioned modern edition of the ’90-92 jersey – the second version will be exactly the same, only, you guessed it: all black.
With the INEOS ownership group clearly looking to double down on nostalgia and the improving mood around the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ now that they’re back in the Champions League, revenues already look to be on the rise.
Ruben Amorim famously turned this down – but not Michael Carrick…
The retro range has become just the latest of several new money spinners for the Red Devils as they look to get their finances back on track, as well as their performances on the pitch.
This summer transfer window is also now open, and with one deal already said to be done and at least a couple more in the pipeline, the income from merchandising will no doubt help to fund at least part of their various lots of these deals this year.
It isn’t just new players they have to pay for either, as it’s also costing them north of £1 million to returf the pitch inside the ground – and they still have the prospect of a new stadium to replace Old Trafford, let’s not forget.
Danny Jones -
1st May 2025 
