Sport

Greater Manchester cleans up at first-ever Festival of Women’s Football Awards

We never cease to proud of our sporting culture around these parts.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th April 2025

This week marked the inaugural Festival of Women’s Football Awards (FWFA), which not only saw a whole host of female talent from up and down the English pyramid celebrated, but Greater Manchester in particular picked up a number of accolades.

Of course, we all know that 0161 is the true home of football, with Manchester’s rich sporting heritage known worldwide, but it’s always nice to see our region recognised for its continued contribution to the beautiful game.

That reputation goes double for the women’s game too, as the 2025 FWFA saw a trio of local clubs and a trio of different players winning across multiple categories.

Starting with the blue side of Manchester, Manchester City Women star Yui Hasegawa picked up Player of the Year from a strong shortlist of midfielders.

The 28-year-old Japanese international had been a key cog in Gareth Taylor’s side prior to his departure last month and under returning interim coach Nick Cushing.

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Joining the club back in the summer of 2022, Hasegawa famously scored on her debut and was named in the PFA Team of the Year that season.

Playing in 92 of the 96 games since her arrival, she is widely considered not just one of the best midfielders in the Women’s Super League (WSL) but the world.

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As for the red half of the city, not only did Phallon Tullis-Joyce – who has shone since filling the very big boots of Mary Earps – pick up the award for the best shotstopper, but centre-back Maya Le Tissier was named both Defender and Young Player of the Year.

We suppose you could call it a treble of sorts.

Still just 23 and already having represented the Lionesses too, she’s looking like one of Manchester United Women’s team’s most promising prospects.

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As for club-wide awards, Wigan Athletic Women’s Team picked up the trophy for ‘Best Fan Experience’, with Greater Manchester and Wigan, specifically, already being noted as one of the trailblazing regions for growing regular attendances and nurturing future female footballers.

Latics Women only launched their squad this season but have already amassed a passionate following, hence the award, and also won the Lancashire Women’s County League Championship at the first time of asking.

Congratulations to all the Greater Mancunian footballing organisations and sports personalities recognised at this year’s Festival of Women’s Football Awards – here’s hoping for even more in 2026!

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Featured Images — Taylor Vincent (via X)/FWFA (supplied)/Shimura19 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Bury FC announce partnership with big-name local brand after ‘milestone’ season

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bury FC sponsorship deal with JD

Following their landmark North West Counties Football League title, Bury FC are toasting their trophy success with a significant new partnership, as multinational franchise JD Sports will be sponsoring the side moving forward.

The Premier Division champions sealed what they have dubbed a “milestone” first piece of silverware and first promotion for some time with a 4-0 win over Burscough FC last weekend: a moment which feels like a far cry away from the uncertainty of recent years.

A NWCFL Division One North title did come during the Bury AFC era.

It was only back in 2019 that Bury were dismissed from the EFL entirely, splintering into two teams after 125 years; fast forward to 2025 and now the Greater Manchester club are looking to reconsolidate their position in the football pyramid with efforts such as this latest commercial move.

Also founded in Bury back in 1981, JD Sports is the latest and most established local organisation to sponsor The Shakers to date, marking a big step forward for those around Gigg Lane.

While the exact nature of their collaboration (i.e. featuring logo on kits, around the stadium and so on) is yet to be detailed, nor has the initial length of the partnership deal been confirmed, getting the brand on board is still a big coup.

Not only is the retailer a well-known name in sports apparel and high-street fashion, with their own line of more than 90 JD Gyms across the UK too, but as a fellow local turned nationwide business from the same borough, their success story is also one that Bury FC can take plenty of inspiration from.

With a league record-breaking 8,719 fans filing into their historic home ground for the final game of the season, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support and loyalty throughout the community, teaming up with JD is an extension of “reignited pride” and brings football back to the heart of the local area.

As for JD – which also boasts a glowing global presence in over 36 countries – sports partnership manager Abi Haywood went on to add: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bury FC, a club that sits at the heart of our community. As a company founded in Bury, this partnership means a lot to us.

“It’s about more than football – it’s about giving back to the town that helped shape who we are. We’re proud to support Bury FC and to play a part in the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.”

The Shakers signed off the announcement by stating: “As Bury FC continues its mission to climb back up the football pyramid, the Club remains deeply committed to regaining its place at the heart of the community.

“With the support of local businesses, lifelong fans, and a town full of pride, Bury FC is building a future worthy of its historic name.”

Here’s hoping this is just the start of an already brilliant comeback and that Bury never need come back from so close to the brink again.

Up The Shakers.

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Featured Images — @ftchris/Leo Reynolds (via Flickr)

Sport

Marcus Rashford reportedly sheds light on his future

Danny Jones Danny Jones Marcus Rashford Manchester United future transfer updates

Manchester United star and current Aston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford has reportedly shed some light on his future, i.e. whether or not it remains at Old Trafford.

Wythenshawe’s world-famous winger and England international has spent the last few months on loan at Villa after being sidelined by Man United head coach Ruben Amorim.

Since arriving in Birmingham, he’s managed to discover some of the form that made him one of the Premier League‘s most talented players and still one of the most sought-after in Europe, registering four goals and 5 assists in 16 games under new manager Unai Emery.

Having already labelled him ‘one of the world’s dangerous attackers’ before his arrival at Villa Park was confirmed, going on to insist that he is steadily “regaining confidence”, it’s clear that his new gaffer would happily keep and it seems like Rashford now feels a permanent move elsewhere might suit him.

While BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reported that Rashford is “not in any hurry” to decide where he goes next, the football writer and reliable transfer source did note that the 27-year-old at least “feels it is unlikely he will play for Manchester United again under Ruben Amorim.”

It is thought that the Portuguese ex-midfielder and former Sporting CP boss had taken issue with Rashford over his effort levels in training and application in games, the suggestion being that the lifelong Red Devil wasn’t quite buying into his ideas.

As a result, Stone goes on to add that “while his United contract is due to run until 2028, and it is not completely out of the question Rashford might return, sources close to the player do not see an obvious way back into the Old Trafford fold.”

Not unlike the situation between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho, with the fellow forward being ousted from the squad following a fall-out, leadership might prove a similar obstacle in this case as well.

That being said, and given the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are looking to build around their new manager as opposed to starting from square one yet again, a reconciliation between Amorim and Rashford would be required. Given how much he’s enjoying his football at Villa, it seems doubtful.

What little we do know regarding Rashford‘s future is that he looks to have ruled out a move to London and would prefer to settle at a team playing Champions League football, with Aston Villa in with a strong chance of finishing in the European places once again.

Villa are said to have an option buy clause worth around £40 million; other continental clubs said to still be interested in his signature include Barcelona and PSG.

Meanwhile, Rashford staying or going could also play into how aggressively United pursue a potential deal for Matheus Cunha, who incidentally also wears the number 10.

You can watch the highlights from Rashford’s last game against familiar rivals Manchester City, in which he grabbed yet another goal for Villa, down below. He could have had two, were it not for the post…

Do you think Rashford should try and make a Villa move permanent, return home or look elsewhere?

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Featured Images — Loco Steve (via Flickr)/Aston Villa (screenshot via YouTube)

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