Sport

Bury FC announce partnership with big-name local brand after ‘milestone’ season

A fitting follow-up to last weekend's glory at Gigg Lane.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th April 2025

Following their landmark North West Counties Football League title, Bury FC are toasting their trophy success with a significant new partnership, as multinational franchise JD Sports will be sponsoring the side moving forward.

The Premier Division champions sealed what they have dubbed a “milestone” first piece of silverware and first promotion for some time with a 4-0 win over Burscough FC last weekend: a moment which feels like a far cry away from the uncertainty of recent years.

A NWCFL Division One North title did come during the Bury AFC era.

It was only back in 2019 that Bury were dismissed from the EFL entirely, splintering into two teams after 125 years; fast forward to 2025 and now the Greater Manchester club are looking to reconsolidate their position in the football pyramid with efforts such as this latest commercial move.

Also founded in Bury back in 1981, JD Sports is the latest and most established local organisation to sponsor The Shakers to date, marking a big step forward for those around Gigg Lane.

While the exact nature of their collaboration (i.e. featuring logo on kits, around the stadium and so on) is yet to be detailed, nor has the initial length of the partnership deal been confirmed, getting the brand on board is still a big coup.

Not only is the retailer a well-known name in sports apparel and high-street fashion, with their own line of more than 90 JD Gyms across the UK too, but as a fellow local turned nationwide business from the same borough, their success story is also one that Bury FC can take plenty of inspiration from.

With a league record-breaking 8,719 fans filing into their historic home ground for the final game of the season, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support and loyalty throughout the community, teaming up with JD is an extension of “reignited pride” and brings football back to the heart of the local area.

As for JD – which also boasts a glowing global presence in over 36 countries – sports partnership manager Abi Haywood went on to add: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bury FC, a club that sits at the heart of our community. As a company founded in Bury, this partnership means a lot to us.

“It’s about more than football – it’s about giving back to the town that helped shape who we are. We’re proud to support Bury FC and to play a part in the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.”

The Shakers signed off the announcement by stating: “As Bury FC continues its mission to climb back up the football pyramid, the Club remains deeply committed to regaining its place at the heart of the community.

“With the support of local businesses, lifelong fans, and a town full of pride, Bury FC is building a future worthy of its historic name.”

Here’s hoping this is just the start of an already brilliant comeback and that Bury never need come back from so close to the brink again.

Up The Shakers.

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Featured Images — @ftchris/Leo Reynolds (via Flickr)

Sport

Rising Mancunian MMA star Lewis McGrillen set to take part in PFL Champions Series

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester MMA fighter Lewis McGrillen fighting in Dubai PFL Champions Series 2025

Rising Manchester MMA fighter, Lewis McGrillen, is topping off a breakout 12 months with a big booking in the Middle East, as he is set to feature in the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) latest ‘Champions Series’ over in the UAE.

Continuing an incredible and seminal campaign, the Wythenshawe-born and raised bantamweight, who became the champion of his division back in December, is set to feature in the next edition of the PFL Champion series later this year.

The local lad, who grew up around athletes like Marcus Rashford MBE and Cole Palmer, is still only 24 but has already generated a passionate following and online persona in the combat sports sphere and on social media, in general.

Here was the moment he got his fast hands on his first-ever European PFL title:

As a fast-growing Mancunian sportsman, he’s got plenty of backing here at home, but his larger-than-life personality has also seen him become a charismatic figure in the world of MMA overall.

With the likes of Wigan’s Tom Aspinall now the unified heavyweight champion and Manc UFC fighter Lerone Murphy calling for his own title shot, Greater Manchester is having a truly great moment within the discipline.

But in terms of characters, for our money at the minute, there are arguably few more compelling characters in mixed martial arts than McGrillen-Evan (to use his full name) besides Liverpool favourite Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett.

All hail the golden era of North West knockout stars.

The resurgence of not just high-potential but increasingly successful fighters in the region has not only seen an added interest in the fight game, but the city is attracting even more events of late, too.

A night of bare-knuckle boxing is coming to Manchester’s AO Arena
Case and point.

Having made the step up from flyweight to compete amongst the bantams, Lewis ‘The McGrizzla’ McGrillen – we’ll never not chuckle at that nickname – is quickly going from one of the PFL’s best prospects to among the most exciting names in MMA full stop.

With 13 professional fights under his belt, a dozen of those being wins and 10 of them being by TKO, he’s past being considered merely ‘one to watch’ if you ask us.

A product of the notorious Manchester Top Team, led by the likes of aforementioned ‘Miracle ‘Murphy and fellow native Kane Mousah, the bantamweight champ will be looking to make an even bigger name for himself on the PFL’s global stage this autumn.

McGrillen is due to tussle with County Tyrone’s Caolan Loughran, 29, in the Dubai bout on Friday, 3 October, and we’re backing him to make a big splash.

You only watch the likes of his match against Dean Garnett, one that was dubbed “the fight of the year”, and you’ll understand why…

Nevertheless, his opponent had a lot of his own choice words to say following plenty of big talk from a very confident Lewis. Who are you backing to come out on top, fight fans?

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Featured Images — Supplied/Stillryan (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Drama Call drop latest limited edition Manchester United collection

Danny Jones Danny Jones Latest Man United Drama Call collab drop location

Viral Manchester streetwear brand Drama Call has finally revealed its latest limited edition Man United collection, and it’s gone down an instant hit with fashionistas and football fans alike.

Better yet, they’re hosting a special pop-up store right outside Old Trafford, so expect massive queues.

Led by a special white jersey inspired by United‘s 1991 anniversary away shirt, the extremely anticipated release is the third they’ve done in tandem with the club, with the Manc company’s reputation having grown significantly over the years.

Now worn by stars such as Aitch, who models as the cover star of the campaign, these drops see hundreds, if not thousands, flock to get their hands on the casualwear – and this newest batch is set to be no different.

As you can see, while the new Drama Call x Man United collection would no doubt sell out online, the local label sticks to keeping the buzz with in-person pop-ups and often surprise locations in and around Greater Manchester.

In this instance, the usual crowds that surround the Drama Call van will be gathering right outside the official Manchester United Megastore for one day only this week.

Oh, and in case you didn’t already guess, it’s first-come, first-served and yes, you have to be very quick.

Besides the twist on the classic and already highly collectable kit design, the collection features a retro ’90s style track jacket, black pullover hoody, and two Drama Call stamped MUFC t-shirts – one black, one white and both with the iconic striped Adidas sleeves.

This isn’t the only big crossover they’ve unveiled in 2025, either, having teamed up with Adidas earlier this year for a very cool sneaker drop.

Once again, the Drama Call x Man United pop-up shop will be opening from 7pm this Thursday only and trust us, the stock won’t last for long.

There may be an opportunity to cop some clobber at a future date, but for now, this is your only opportunity for early access if you’re a big fan of their stuff or just a dyed-in-the-wool Red who fills their wardrobe with pretty much anything Man United.

We expect there’ll be a few going for that kit.

Limited edition footy shirts are all the rage at the moment, especially in the music world, but there’s also a rugby jersey that’s caught our eye recently.

Sale Sharks drop Haçienda-inspired away kit for the 2025/26 season
It features a few cool nods.

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Featured Images — Manchester United/Drama Call (press shots)

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