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”.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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
‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled
Daisy Jackson
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!”
It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County! https://t.co/trW9imo7Xu
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.
@altrinchamfc If you say so https://t.co/6ub5YiIogD
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.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Danny Jones -
15th March 2023 
