Sport

Esme Morgan calls out Manchester City over new season ticket restrictions

Preaching nothing but gospel.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 20th April 2025

Ex-Manchester City player and England international, Esme Morgan, has called out her old employers regarding recent updates to season ticket restrictions.

The former Man City defender, now playing for Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League, took to social media in defence of other season ticket holders who are now facing more stringent measures when it comes to attending fixtures and ultimately keeping their tickets.

In the simplest terms, season ticket holders must now personally attend at least 10 out of the 19 Premier League games, while a further six must be forwarded or sold back to the club. Other updates have also been confirmed.

While the club insist the goal is to increase attendances and reduce no-shows, as well as offer those who aren’t there week in, week out a better chance of purchasing a ticket, supporters like Morgan herself argue that the new impending policy is unfair and hasn’t been fully “thought through.”

The 24-year-old Sheffield-born centre back was responding to a City journalist, Joe Bray, who was polling the public opinion on the incoming changes in the immediate aftermath of their announcement, with a “clear frustration” being noted among the majority.

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Morgan came through the academy system and spent seven years at the Etihad Campus before leaving the club for the US last summer.

However, as she explained in her post, which served as a further rallying cry among fellow fans, not only does she still have a season ticket, but her family and friends make full use of it throughout the domestic campaign whilst she competes over in America.

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A feature of Man City’s own website – simply entitled, ‘Esme Morgan: Blue blood’ – not only describes her as a “blue through and through” but details how she’s had a season ticket at the club since she was just 3, so it seems that confounding that the updates to the ticket policy would see her have to give it up.

She goes on to add: “Loyal fans shouldn’t be punished for circumstances which mean they are currently unable to attend games, when they may be able to in future. Especially if they make efforts to ensure their seat is not left empty! What happens in cases of illness, studying/living abroad etc?”

As you can see, the lifelong Blue has now urged the club to revisit their plans for season ticket renewals and eligibility processes.

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Whether or not her profile as a professional footballer, former City player and women’s team academy product will help her protests make more of a splash, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Nevertheless, it shouldn’t take people who have a profile within the game shouting loud enough for the average supporters’ valid grievances to be heard.

Are you a City fan, and if so, what do you make of the new season ticket stipulations? More precisely, do you agree with Esme Morgan?

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Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/James Boyes (via Flickr)

Sport

Manchester United’s statement in full as Michael Carrick is sacked as manager

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester United has now released a formal statement following the news that Michael Carrick has been sacked with immediate effect.

Carrick – who initially played for Manchester United as a midfielder between 2006 and 2018 – was first appointed as a caretaker manager in 2021, before he went on to become the interim manager and then men’s first team head coach earlier this year.

Unfortunately though, United have struggled to find form this season – with the team winning only three of their first 15 games across all competitions.

The club’s statement reads in full: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.

“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.

“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.

“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.

“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”

Featured Image – Sky Sports (via YouTube – screenshot)

Sport

‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 'We couldn't see f**k all' - Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled

Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.

The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.

What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.

Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”

Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.

Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”

One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”

Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”

Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.

Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”

The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.

One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.

And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.

Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.

Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.

However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.

With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.

While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.

For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.

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Featured image: BBC

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