Sport

Ex-soldier diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease meets his Man United heroes and receives a special message from Kevin Sinfield

You'll need tissues for this one.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th May 2023

Jordan Pilkington, a former soldier and lifelong Manchester United fan, was recently surprised by the club with a visit by some of his favourite Red Devils, as well as a special message from motor neurone disease champion, Kevin Sinfield.

Diagnosed with MND himself while serving in the British army back in 2020, age just 22 at the time, Jordan Pilkington has had his life turned upside down by the disease, having to withdraw from his post as a Royal Engineer and renovate his home to make his remaining time as comfortable as possible.

Naturally, he was over the moon when Man United’s Disabled Supporters Association gave him the amazing opportunity to meet some of his footballing heroes.

However, he was not prepared for what came next and neither were we:

The ex-soldier couldn’t help but break down after this touching message from Kevin Sinfield.

As you can see, after meeting the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and more, the United captain was given the honour of delivering another surprise to Jordan, as he hit play on a deeply moving message from another one of his idols in Leeds Rhinos and Manc legend, Kevin Sinfield.

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Speaking to the 26-year-old via a tablet, the ex-rugby player turned coach and remarkable MND fundraiser told Jordan: “I’ve heard your story, I’ve heard all about you and you are an amazing guy. Just like my mate Rob, you’ve inspired everyone who knows you with your fight courage and bravery.

“You are a true champion. I’m going to send you my t-shirt that I ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in on Sunday, but don’t worry, it’s been washed.”

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The Oldham-born sporting hero went viral along with best mate Burrow again this past weekend after lifting his former teammate out of his wheelchair and carrying him across the finish — one of the most moving moments you’ll ever see in sport.

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He closed his message by stating, “Let’s keep banging the drum for MND. As the great Doddie Weir [a fellow former rugby union star who sadly passed away from the condition in November 2022] always said, ‘MND isn’t incurable, it’s just underfunded’. Keep fighting, keep smiling my friend”.

If you weren’t crying already then we defy you to not be after watching that all the way through.

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Now three years on from his diagnosis and still fighting, Jordan is making the most of however long he has left, with a fundraiser set up by one of his fellow troops back in 2020 to help pay for adjustments around his home. Though limited to a wheelchair, he has been raising money for MND ever since.

Both of these men are absolute icons, as is the wonderful Rob Burrow. You can still do your bit to help them by donating to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — BBC Sport/JustGiving

Sport

Limited 10k places left as Great Manchester Run half marathon sells out once again

Danny Jones Danny Jones are there great manchester run 10k places left?

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half marathon has officially sold out yet again for 2025, with just a small number of 10k places left.

With thousands of Mancs and visitors to the region having earned themselves glory at this year’s Manchester Marathon, attention has already turned to the next big event: the Great MCR Run.

Returning for its 22nd year, AJ Bell is bringing the Great Manchester Run back to the city and while tickets for the longest distance may have been snapped up as per, anyone debating taking on the 10k still has time to get their bib through the post.

Go on, you know what want the finish line feeling – not to mention a shiny new medal to score some well-deserved free pints on the day.

Yes, while spaces on the Great Manchester Run have already sold out in no time, there are are now less than 500 still left to grab for the 10k.

The question is, will you be one of them?

Final entries are available for £45 but there are also a select few charity places for anyone who backs themself to raise enough money before race day.

Taking place on Sunday, 18 May, with the first runners getting underway from approximately 8:10am, you’ve not got long to decide whether you want to be part of the action.

Having done it multiple times ourselves and with a local gold-medal-winning Olympian getting things underway this year, we can’t recommend it enough.

Credit: AJ Bell

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It’s worth also worth noting that if you missed out on the half marathon this year but fancy giving the next one a go, you can set a reminder for 2026 entries now.

One final thing: last minute Great Manchester Run entrants for the 10k must be aged 15 and over; a booking fee of £2.50 per entry will also applied at checkout.

Beyond that, provided you’ve got the training under your belt/you already a solid fitness base, the only thing that’s left to do is get ready for the starting gun. You can even take part in the official shake-out run, if you fancy it.

See you for the post-race pints and hopefully some PB showboating!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — AJ Bell Great Manchester Run

Sport

A massive Manchester United fan zone is being set up for the Europa League final – if they make it…

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester United fan zone Europa League final

With the second leg of the Europa League semis looming, in which Manchester United could make it through to the final, a massive fan zone is being tentatively set up.

In truth, they should make it to the conclusion of the UEFA competition – a decider that could see them qualify for the Champions League – given that they took a 3-0 lead back to Old Trafford following the impressive away fixture, but if Man United have proved anything of late, its that they’re unpredictable.

Touch wood, if they make it to the final, supporter park specialists 4 The Fans – the same team behind the huge sites at the likes of Manchester’s Secret City, Love Factory and the Progress Centre for Euro 2024 – are putting one of the biggest fan zones yet.

As always with football, nothing is quite guaranteed, and despite a health advantage that should see them over the line, we’ve seen this side do the unlikeliest of things with leads in recent times. Case and point, that frankly ridiculous Lyon comeback.

man united fan zone manchester europa league
A massive Man United fan zone is on the cards for this year’s Europa League final. (Credit: 4 The Fans)

Provided the Red Devils get the job done on their end, 4 The Fans are committed to putting on a huge fan zone over in Stretford, and with well over 50,000 fans attending their events over the last three years, it’s sure to be a mega atmosphere.

4 The Fans are giving us real Euro vibes with their upcoming plans.

Set to take over the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena over in Stretford, the enormous events space will be transformed into one of their biggest fan zones to date, with the biggest screen in Manchester. 

VIP seated tickets are also available, and parents are welcome to bring their kids along to the family-friendly event.

Once again, this all hinges on whether or not Man United make it past Athletic Club and book a return trip for the Europa League final, which also happens to be taking place in Bilbao.

However, one of the best bits about all of this is that, in addition to the strong chance of going through, tickets are already available, and supporters are guaranteed their money back if Ruben Amorim’s side manages to capitulate.

No harm, no foul.

bec arena football fan zone
man united fan park bowlers stretford
Past scenes from international tournaments. (Credit: Supplied)

If the idea of being surrounded by fellow Reds for the game isn’t an attractive enough prospect on its own for you, United fans, the event is also set to be hosted by a club legend (still yet to be announced), with DJs and music, as well as special effects throughout.

Of course, there’ll be plenty of pints and scran to fuel the promoter’s famous fan energy on offer too, so you really will be sorted from start to finish.

Doors to the BEC open at 5:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off; tickets start from just £8. Until then, you can watch back the highlights from the previous match down below. You can grab yours HERE.

How are you feeling for the game – do you think they’re going all the way?

Surely they can’t blow it from here, can they?…

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — 4 The Fans Events

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