If you managed to catch the UEFA U21s European Championships this year, you’ll know that one of England’s most impressive players throughout the tournament was Manchester City youngster, James Trafford, and if you’re aware of Burnley FC’s social media, you know they never disappoint.
That’s right, the former Man City keeper who was on loan at Bolton Wanderers and took them all the way to League One playoffs last season, has officially signed for Burnley on a reported fee of around £19 million including add-ons, after his market value skyrocketed following an impressive 2022/23 campaign.
As well as being a reliable man between the sticks over in Bolton and starring at the U21 Euros, he was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in City’s academy and clearly gelled well with the likes of his fellow Blue and England U21 captain, Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Nevertheless, the promising youth player has now got a move to the recently re-promoted Burnley and has taken the no.1 shirt right from the off. With that being said, they only saw fit to give the exciting new arrival another one of their vintage announcement videos.
We would’ve liked a ‘Great shot!’ pun, but you can’t have everything.
Absolutely class, as usual. As you can see, the iconic Back to Future score makes for the perfect soundtrack as they replay his incredible heroics in the U21s final, producing a double-save in the dying embers of added time as England clung on to a tense 1-0 lead.
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But it isn’t just this one standout moment that saw people take notice of the keeper; Trafford didn’t concede a single goal throughout the entire tournament and also managed to keep a clean sheet in the Wanderers’ historic 4-0 EFL Trophy win back in April.
Moreover, during his time at the UniBol (yes, we know it has a silly new name), he managed to keep 33 clean sheets in 77 appearances — 22 of those coming this past season — and was one of the key players in the side that led oh so close to promotion.
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Trafford boasts a solid record and some of the key natural traits you’d hope for in a shot-stopper and has become the 25th most-expensive goalkeeper of all-time at just 20 years old. This kid looks like he could be the real deal.
Knowing the potential Trafford has, Man City have naturally included not only a 20% sell-on clause but a buy-back option within the four-year deal as well, which is said to be worth around £15m up front as well as a further £4m add-ons.
He is yet to play in the Premier League but with City legend Vincent Kompany‘s Burnley facing off against the champions and treble-winners in their opening game of the season on 11 August, his first match could very well come against his old club.
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What a moment that will be for everyone involved.
You can watch the 2023 U21s Euro final highlights and Trafford’s shining moment down below:
James Trafford, England hero and now Burnley’s no.1
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
21st July 2023 
