FC United of Manchester have put out an urgent appeal to try and help raise funds for attacking midfielder Callum Gribbin’s potentially “career-saving” surgery.
The former Manchester United youth player was on the receiving end of a heavy collision along the touchline barely 90 seconds into a 1-1 draw against Warrington Town at Broadhurst Park on 28 January, and after being knocked down was left unable to get back up.
Following a scan, it was discovered that the challenge ruptured not only his anterior cruciate ligament, as well as his medial and posterior ligaments — all three of which are crucial in providing stability to the knee and are “devastating for anyone in terms of mobility”, not least an athlete.
While a crowdfunderwas originally set up to help give Gribbin and his family some financial support to “get through a year out of football”, the surgery is now more crucial than ever and his club are trying to make sure he gets back on the pitch.
As manager Neil Reynolds goes on to explain in the video message, the former United prospect — once dubbed the ‘next Ryan Giggs’ — Gribbin is not only a player with “brilliant quality on and off the ball”, but a “beautiful lad inside and out”.
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With that in mind, the idea of the 24-year-old, who has already had numerous setbacks in his career, having previosuly suffered with injuries and being released from his boyhood club after 11 years, being forced to give up the game he loves still so early in his career would be a real shame.
As a result, the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) have kindly funding 50% of the costs but the Salford-born lad still needs to find the other 50% of the cost by Friday, 17 March or the operation will sadly have to be delayed.
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Even after the operation, Gribbin still faces 9-12 months of rehabilitation before he can get to playing and as a non-league player trying to make a living, every bit of playing time counts.
Speaking in the statement on their website, the club said: “Everytime a player pulls on the shirt and crosses the white line, like any player in any team, they are doing so to get the best result possible for their club… they are also doing is putting their physical well-being on the line…
“Anything you can afford, no matter how small, it would help Callum through an incredibly tough period in his life – he wouldn’t ask for this support himself – but he needs it more than ever.”
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Set up by FC Westhoughton fan Tim Browning, his fundraising page has already accrued nearly £9,000 of its intended £10k goal but still needs that extra push to get him over the line. Moroever, as alluded to earlier, anything extra will go towards helping support him and his family over the next year or so.
You can donate to Callum Gribbin’s GoFundMe and help him secure his career-saving surgery HERE. All the best, Callum, we wish you a speedy recovery.
Featured Image — FC United of Manchester/Callum Gribbin/Ben Roberts Photography (via Twitter)
Sport
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Danny Jones -
15th March 2023 
