Salford City’s Director of Football, Chris Casper, has officially left the Peninsula Stadium after more than seven years with the club.
Casper has been with Salford ever since they became a professional outfit back in 2017, being brought in as Sporting Director by the Class of ’92 before progressing into an adjacent Director of Football role in recent years.
Having been tasked with establishing the Salford’s Academy system, now classed as a Category 3 academy with teams ranging from Under-9s all the way up to the B-Team, he’s been key in creating pathways for young players in Greater Manchester and beyond to progress into first-team football.
Now, the Lancashire-born former player is set to join his boyhood club, Burnley, in the ideal role as Manager of the Clarets Academy, set to build on the success seen here in Salford.
After nearly 8 years at the club, Chris Casper has left to take up a role at Burnley 🤝
Chris has been a major part of the pathway for our young players who have made men's first team appearances, and we wish him all the best in his new opportunity!
Writing in a statement on the club website, Salford said: “In just seven years we have seen 46 players from our development system make men’s first-team appearances, and most recently Marshall Heys made Emirates FA Cup history as the youngest player to play for a professional club in the competition when he came on as a substitute in our 2-1 win against Shrewsbury Town.”
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As for Casper himself, he said: “I would like to thank the staff and players that I have worked with for their help and support over nearly eight years in what has been such an exciting time at the club, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Salford with some wonderful people.
He went on to add: “I would also like to thank the supporters who have been brilliant in my time at the Club. In particular, I would like to thank the owners for their support and their trust throughout my time here, and I am grateful to them to have allowed me this opportunity.”
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Like his previous co-owners, the 49-year-old started out his career as a player at Manchester United, going on to enjoy spells as a defender at the likes of Bournemouth, Swindon and Reading before getting a taste of management at Bath and Bury.
As the son of Burnley legend, Frank Casper – who played and managed the club – as well as the father of current goalkeeper, Charlie, it goes without saying that it was a warm welcome home.
Speaking on his first day, Chris went on to say: “It’s maybe fate to follow in the footsteps of my dad and my son as well. It feels surreal to be here but it’s genuinely a dream come true.”
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As for what would have been his equivalent while at Salford, Director of Football Development, Paul Jenkins, added: “It’s a good day for us at the football club. Chris was an outstanding candidate with many years of experience at this level.
“He spent well over 10 years at the Premier League as a club [academy] support manager and one of the main qualities in that role is that you get to experience good practice at other football clubs, independently, which is important.”
“He also had success at Salford. He was pivotal in developing young players and their football strategy. So, coupled with his roots at this football club, he is the ideal fit.”
Featured Images — Salford City/Burnley FC (via YouTube screenshots)
Sport
Jack Grealish dedicates first league goal in 16 months to late brother on anniversary of his death
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Jack Grealish held back the tears following his first Premier League goal in more than 16 months, but not in relief after breaking the duck, because it came on a very emotional day for him and his family.
The Man City and England midfielder opened the scoring in the Blues’ 2-0 win against Leicester City on Wednesday night, bringing an end to his goal drought after a total of 473 days.
But what made it even more special is that the game happened to coincide with the anniversary of his late brother Keelan’s death.
Speaking in his post-match interview after picking up the man of the match award, Grealish was in a noticeably quieter mood than his usual charismatic self before revealing that the day marked the 25th anniversary of his younger sibling’s death.
Jack Grealish dedicates his goal to his late brother on the 25th anniversary of his death ❤️ pic.twitter.com/u3toaqZSuR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2025
The 29-year-old went on to reveal that the date coincided with Keelan’s passing and acknowledged that it’s “hard on the family but [I’m] happy to score”.
His mum and dad, Karen and Kevin, were up in the stands; it doesn’t need explaining why scoring in that particular moment was so special for all of them.
Clearly stirred by addressing what was a bittersweet occasion, he signed off by adding, “To score and to win was brilliant.”
Keelan Daniel Grealish was just nine months old when he tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) back in 2000 – ‘Super Jack’ was just four at the time.
Paying tribute on social media after the game, the comments below his post were filled with love and support.
Besides the goal itself, the former Aston Villa star was keen to reiterate that he was never brought to the club to score bags of goals and “has a lot more to offer” than just hitting the back of the net.
Touching on his Grealish’s game and the tribute to Keelan during his post-match duties, manager Pep Guardiola went on to add: “Jack is an incredible human being; in terms of gestures and for the other people, he’s incredibly generous.
“I didn’t know that [it was the anniversary of his brother’s death]. I can’t imagine how tough it could be for mum, dad, sister, and all the family. It’s good on this day to remember him, I’m pretty sure they remember every single day.”
A lovely moment from a much-loved character around the Eithad Stadium as well as up and down the country. Rest in peace, Keelan.
You can watch the highlights from the game down below:
Three more points on the board for City and a big moment for the Brummy-born midfielder.
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Marc Skinner signs new contract to keep him at Manchester United until 2027
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has signed off on a new deal with the Red Devils, accepting a contract that will see him stay at the club until at least 2027.
Approaching half a decade in charge of Man United’s women’s team, Marc Skinner has now committed his future to the side which helped the club to a historic male and female FA Cup double and qualified for Champions League for the first time.
Confirmed via social media on Wednesday, 2 April, the club shared the news that the 42-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
His side is also currently third in the WSL, and although Chelsea remain the perennial favourites, they are continuing to push harder for the title each season following their second-placed finish in 22/23.
Speaking on the new deal, Brummy-born Skinner wrote: “It has been an absolute privilege to serve as head coach for this fantastic football club for the past four years, and I am delighted to be extending my time in the role for at least a further two years.
“We’re building a young, hungry team with the aim of challenging consistently for further trophies. There is still more hard work ahead, including this season, but the players and staff have already shown their determination to succeed, and I’m looking forward to us taking the next steps in our journey together.”
The former Birmingham and Orlando Pride head coach has been a somewhat divisive figure around Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford during his tenure in recent years, with some vocal supporters even calling ‘Skinner Out’ last year.
He was ultimately kept on following the 4-0 thrashing of Spurs in the Women’s FA Cup, but many fans are still unhappy with the amount of progress made under him.
In addition to a lack of silverware throughout his time in charge, with many criticising his tactics, star talents like Alessia Russo, Mary Earps, Nikita Parris, Lucía Garcíaand captain Katie Zelem have all departed during this time. Others just haven’t felt the same since Casey Stoney left back in 2021.
Even gave him a photoshoot. Right wrong on not a significant part of the fan base hates Marc skinner. It’s tone deaf to assume we all celebrate on socials. I would turn the comments off tbh. https://t.co/VIarfUAkoJ
Nevertheless, Marc Skinner is staying for the immediate future, and there are still plenty who back him and the work he’s done, or at least the direction he is looking to go in.
Speaking on the extension, United‘s technical director Jason Wilcox said: “Marc’s record since taking charge speaks for itself, having delivered our first major women’s silverware and firmly established us among the leading teams in the WSL.
“After a major overhaul last summer, we have an exciting, developing squad ready to compete for further success, and we are convinced that Marc is the right coach to lead that process.”
COO Collette Roche went on to insist that “building a successful and popular women’s team is an important part of our wider, football-first strategy for the club” and that they hope Skinner will continue to contribute in placing “Manchester United at the forefront of growth in the women’s game.”
Danny Jones -
12th November 2024 
