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
Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days
Lonnie Bowes
There’s a particular kind of Manchester buzz you only get pitch-side. If you’re a seasoned Cityzen this one’s for you – one of three major new hospitality options for your next game day at the Etihad Stadium.
Tucked in the heart of the new Pep Guardiola Stand, directly behind the goal, we have the brand-new City Hall.
City Hall is built for people who actually want to watch football in comfort, and with a massive 500 capacity hall a stone’s throw from the pitch, it’s a hard one to pass up.
Doors open a full two hours before the match, and that early access turns the day into an occasion rather than a scramble.
There’s time to properly soak up the atmosphere in what is a genuinely lively, buzzing bar, and I have to say potentially one of the best I’ve come across on a match day.
Food and drink are where the local flavour really comes through. The street food menu leans into Manchester’s own identity with a modern twist.
The catering is relaxed and doesn’t take itself too seriously, let’s just say having a chip barm and chicken madras pie on the run-up to a kick-off is my idea of heaven.
Every guest gets an inclusive drink as part of your booking, too. You get to pick from a selected wine, beer or soft drink which you can claim at any point during your visit.
It’s a setup that suits everyone, whether you’re in it for a proper pre-match pint with your mates or meal with your family before a day of making pitch side memories.
The little touches matter too. A matchday programme is a nice, old-school addition in an era where so much matchday content has gone digital.
And crucially, the experience doesn’t end at the final whistle: with an hour’s access after the match, there’s no need to bolt for the exits the second the referee blows for full-time. You can sit and finish your drink, and let the ground empty out around you instead of fighting through it.
Put it all together and City Hall feels like hospitality done with an actual sense of place.
Manchester street food, a proper buzzing bar, and one of the best seats in the house, all wrapped around a schedule that respects the fact that match day is about more than just the 90 minutes.
For anyone looking to upgrade how they watch City this season, it’s well worth a look.
Have a look and make a booking at City Hall at the Etihad Stadium HERE.
The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed
Daisy Jackson
The road to one of the biggest nights in rugby league has officially been mapped out, with the 2026 Betfred Super League Grand Final set to return to Manchester’s Old Trafford this October.
Following the final round of regular-season action, the four play-off ties have now been confirmed as the battle for a place at the home of Manchester United enters its final stages.
And there’s plenty for Greater Manchester sports fans to get excited about.
Wigan Warriors have secured the League Leaders’ Shield after an emphatic 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons, with Matt Peet’s side running in nine tries to finish top of the table.
The result keeps Wigan’s hopes of an incredible treble alive, having already lifted the Betfred Challenge Cup back in May.
They’ll now have a week off while the opening play-off ties take place, as will second-placed Leeds Rhinos.
The first eliminator sees Wakefield Trinity welcome Leigh Leopards on Friday 18 September, with kick-off at 8pm.
Then, on Saturday 19 September, Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5.30pm.
The winners of those games will progress to the semi-finals, while the losing sides will face the two highest-ranked teams in the competition.
The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed. Credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Leeds will host the highest-ranked eliminator loser on Friday 25 September at 8pm.
Then, 24 hours later, Wigan will welcome the lowest-ranked loser to the Brick Community Stadium for their semi-final, with that one kicking off at 5.30pm on Saturday 26 September.
For Wigan, it represents a huge opportunity to take another step towards an historic treble – and ultimately a return to Old Trafford.
The Grand Final itself takes place on Saturday 3 October, with the action getting underway at 6pm.
As ever, the biggest prize in Super League will be decided under the lights at Old Trafford, with the two remaining sides battling it out in front of what is expected to be another huge crowd in Manchester.
Danny Jones -
15th March 2023 
