When you’re a kid, those first big role models are so important and a good teacher can leave a lasting impact on your life. For Manchester United star Ella Toone, one of those first important figures was her Regional Talent Club and youth coach, Emma Fletcher.
Emma Fletcher was the RTC and academy coach who mentored the Man United Women‘s all-time leading goalscorer through the age groups as she developed and playing a key role in ensuring the team had a future in the years it was disbanded (2005-2018), bringing through the likes of current captain Katie Zelem, Millie Turner, Toone and many more.
Sadly, Emma suffers from Huntington’s Disease, a nerve cell disease which affects the brain and is now limiting her ability to work. Nevertheless, the inspiring coach continues to graft for the United Foundation to this day, helping develop girls football at a grassroots level across Greater Manchester.
With that in mind, Tooney thought it was only right to honour Emma properly and pay her back for all her support throughout her formative years by delivering her a surprise her at Eccles Sixth Form College and helping raise more awareness surrounding Huntington’s Disease in the process.
Ella Toone surprises her old coach Emma Fletcher to deliver some heart-warming news ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nRLP31mRRI
The moment Ella Toone surprised her old youth coach, Emma Fletcher.
You love to see it.
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As the 23-year-old England star explains, Emma has been working for United’s RTC for over 22 years, looking after and believing in so many young girls like her, not to mention stressing the importance of women’s game from day dot. More importantly, not once has she let her condition hold her back.
“Right from the very start, since I was six or seven years old, she’s always been there, she’s always believed in me, she’s always pushed me”, adding, “For me, Emma’s always wanted the best for everyone she’s worked with and that was fighting for a Manchester United women’s team.”
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The Tyldesley-born forward went on to insist that Fletcher has always been “very vocal” about United Women’s and advocating for women’s sport, making her a been a big part not only of her own journey but “the history of the club” as well.
As a result, not only was the United coach treated to a surprise visit by her old pupil but Ella was also given the great privilege of informing her childhood inspiration that that the female Academy Player of the Year would now be named after her. Well deserved, Emma.
Reacting to the news, Emma said: “I’m just blown away, can’t believe it. It’s an unbelievable surprise.
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“I think I’ve got one of the best jobs in the world. We’ve got the best girls’ development programme, I’d say in the world now, I’d go as far as saying that. I’m really, really proud.”
Although it is considered a relatively rare disease, it is estimated that more than 6,700 individuals are currently living with Huntington’s Disease in the UK alone and even more could potentially carry the gene which causes it occur between age 30-50, so raising greater awareness is crucial.
You can donate to the Huntington’s Disease Assosciation HERE.
Luke Littler is challenging amateurs to beat him at darts as part of a live Netflix event
Danny Jones
In an unprecedented new sports event in the world of streaming, North West sports star Luke Little is offering people the chance to try and win a game of darts against him live on Netflix.
Best of all, he and the entertainment platform have put up a huge grand prize for anyone who can beat the Warrington wonder.
So, for any of you who fancy yourselves as Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor reincarnated when stepping up to the oche down at the local, or if you’re simply bold enough to throw your name in the hat, you’ll want to pay attention for this one…
Announcing the special one-off sporting event on Netflix later this year, Luke Littler has issued the call-out to see if anyone can best him in a game of 501 in front of millions watching at home.
Quite literally the opportunity of a lifetime for fans of the arrows, this exclusive livestream is like nothing that the media giants have done before.
Having dipped their toes into the likes of live boxing fights over the past few years, they’ve definitely got a few live events under their belt, but this exciting and crucially interactive series of matches feels like something genuinely new for Netflix.
Most notably of all, using the name of the popular darts game played not only live on telly at competitions throughout the year but also at countless pubs across the country to set the prize fee, a prospective winner could potentially win £501k this autumn.
Imagine: half a million pounds for one (admittedly very tough) game of darts.
The only major caveat aside from, you know, him being an absolute phenom and already a serial winner is he also happens to be in the form of his life – his words and virtually everyone else’s.
"This is the best version of myself… I'm playing SO WELL!"
Luke Littler listens to some of the records he's broken in his ridiculous World Matchplay campaign 🤯 pic.twitter.com/EVQSrHxSHf
Having smashed Gerwyn Price to defend his World Matchplay Darts title on Sunday evening, cruising to an 18-9 victory with so many 100+ visits and finishes that he broke the tournament’s record average, which has stood since 2010, anyone who does come up against him is currently praying for a miracle.
Price himself told Sky Sports that the youngster’s performance looked ‘effortless’, quipping, “I hope there’s nobody else like him coming through!”
Still only 19, the local lad is the toughest of tasks for even the best on the pro circuit, but if you still somehow fancy your chances, heats will be taking place in Manchester and London, where the top 20 players will get their shot at the man himself on Friday, 30 October.
You can find out all the important information and sign up right HERE.
For now, why not see just how good Littler is playing at the minute and watch back his highlights from a record-breaking final this weekend?
Not that he’s ever truly cooled off, but he really is on fire at the minute.
Manchester City auctioning off exclusive ‘artefacts’ from Pep Guardiola’s office
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to auction off a limited number of used and/or signed items previously owned by legendary football manager Pep Guardiola himself.
The iconic Catalan head coach may have now left the club, but it’s fair to say that supporters are still grieving the bittersweet goodbye – and if you’re one of them, then this might be a good way of clinging on to him and the memories.
Teaming up with MatchWornShirt, an authentic collectables company that deals in memorabilia used by the sporting stars themselves, fans will soon be able to own a ‘piece of Pep’ if they so wish as part of this very special merchandise dump.
So, if you’re a collector of signed or match-worn merch, here’s a taster of what’s up for grabs:
Several items from @PepTeam's office are up for auction 🤝
Yes, should they be willing to put in the winning bid, Blues can genuinely own some of Guardiola‘s office knick-nacks, a tactics board and notes scribed on by the man himself, as well as his actual chair and even his whistle.
Does that count as kissing him? That’s not for us to say…
There is more standard fare, of course, such as worn training kits, photo frames, programmes and other printed media – almost all of which are signed by the 55-year-old.
On the other hand, if you’re so inclined to go for the super rare stuff, you can even buy his desk lamp and go-to coffee cups; whatever floats your boat.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss left Etihad Stadium this summer after 10 years as a Cityzen – with the club even releasing a dedicated ‘Decade Collection’ in his honour – and it now looks as though he could be set for his next job.
His former assistant turned replacement and ex-U23s/Elite Development Squad (EDS), Enzo Maresca, is now in place and making his first impressions on the City squad; safe to say it’ll take some work to leave the same lasting legacy as his mentor.
As for the auction, the club have labelled these exclusive trinkets as “artefacts”, promising that you won’t get many other opportunities, if any, to claim this kind of ‘KeePepsake’.
Meanwhile, in other MCFC news, the City Football Group (CFG) are taking steps to ensure local fans have easier access to matchday tickets with a new postcode lottery, of sorts.
Danny Jones -
14th May 2023 
