Sport

Greater Manchester football stadiums have been named the ‘safest in the UK’, according to new data

Setting an example.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 12th March 2024

We all know Manchester is the world’s footballing capital — we won’t hear any argument otherwise — and now we’re also glad to hear that the region as a whole was found to be the safest when it comes to UK football stadiums.

Unfortunately, there are always going to be flares up in and around football but given how obsessed our city is with the beautiful game, we’re glad to hear that the majority of match-going Mancs are doing their best to live up to that name.

As per the latest data collected by Live Football Tickets, of the 10 stadiums said to be the safest around the country, the top six grounds are right here in Greater Manchester, with Man United and Man City leading the way.

Basing their stats on the mean average of crime events per every 100 spectators each season, Old Trafford was declared the safest with just four reported instances between 2021 and 2023, followed by the Etihad Stadium in second with only seven — also positive given their larger attendances.

Old Trafford
Etihad Stadium
DW Stadium
Credit: The Manc Group/Reading Tom (via Flickr)

Now, it goes without saying that we of course dream of the days when we don’t have to worry about any kind of crime or inappropriate behaviour at footy games (however naive that ideal might be), but it’s still reassuring to see all Manc teams occupying the European places on the matchday safety league table.

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From third to sixth are Wigan’s DW Stadium, Oldham’s Boundary Park, Bolton’s recently renamed Toughsheet Stadium and Spotland Stadium, the home of Rochdale AFC.

You can see the rest of the top 10 below and the full list of 86 stadiums ranked from the safest to those with the most crimes reported on average each year HERE.

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RankStadiumClubAverage annual spectatorsTotal number of crime events (2021 – 2023)Most common crimeMean estimated crime events per 100 spectators per season
1Old TraffordManchester United1,249,3534Violence and sexual offences0.0003
2Etihad StadiumManchester City831,0997Violence and sexual offences0.0008
3DW StadiumWigan Athletic225,2305Violence and sexual offences0.002
4Boundary ParkOldham Athletic121,53710Violence and sexual offences0.008
5Toughsheet StadiumBolton Wanderers386,30234Violence and sexual offences0.009
6Spotland StadiumRochdale37,4188Violence and sexual offences0.02
7Amex StadiumBrighton and Hove Albion521,354564Violence and sexual offences0.11
8Adams ParkWycombe Wanderers116,644412Violence and sexual offences0.35
9Britannia StadiumStoke City381,4221,455Violence and sexual offences0.38
10Home ParkPlymouth Argyle307,8131,289Violence and sexual offences0.42
11Madjeski StadiumReading282,6251,197Violence and sexual offences0.42
12Pride ParkDerby County522,8252,522Violence and sexual offences0.48
13The HawthornsWest Bromwich Albion448,2713,473Violence and sexual offences0.77
14HillsboroughSheffield Wednesday470,2454,432Violence and sexual offence0.94
15The City GroundNottingham Forest510,6014,971Shoplifting0.97

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Football is for people from all walks of life and absolutely no one should feel unsafe inside a stadium, be it as a home fan or an away supporter, so if you ever see anything out of order or concerning when attending a fixture, be sure to report it to your nearest steward.

We all need to do our bit to help better police the game when called upon and make as many people feel comfortable going to the match as possible.

For example, a fresh push has once again been made to help crack down on tragedy chanting as sadly there are still instances occurring across the North West and beyond.

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Reading Tom (via Flickr)

Sport

Cole Palmer picks up FSA Men’s Player of the Year for 2024

Danny Jones Danny Jones Cole Palmer wins FSA Player of the Year award 2024

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has officially won the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) Player of the Year Award for 2024 following what can only be called an incredible 12 months.

It’s been an unbelievable 12 months for the former Manchester City academy product and now England international, who is still only 22, having already notched eight goals and six assists in 15 games for his club this season.

The Wythenshawe-born winger, attacking midfielder and all-round dynamo has been virtually unplayable the entire calendar year, to be honest, becoming the fastest Chelsea player in history to reach 30 goals with his latest contribution this past weekend.

Picking up the award at this year’s ceremony held in London on Monday night, Cole Palmer becomes the first Chelsea player to ever win FSA Player of the Year, having done so with just over one full senior season under his belt.

Registering 26 goal contributions in 2024 so far, he’s been one of the most prolific players not only in England but in European football full stop, and he’s no way near done yet.

With a busy Christmas period ahead thanks to the congested festive fixture list, you can expect him to add to that tally soon enough, having just scored a goal-of-the-season contender in the West London side’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

This latest award also comes just a few months on from notching Young Player of the Season for 2023/24 in his debut season for Chelsea and his first full Premier League campaign. Generational stuff.

Leading the league in chances created from open play (30) and so often being the match-winner in a team so overly saturated with talent – approximately £1.15 billion on a total of 39 players across the last five transfer windows – he’s worth his weight in gold.

Just a lad from Manchester who’s very good at kicking a ball.

With well over half the season still to go and Enzo Maresca’s side finally looking like a team worthy of the money spent and able to compete at the top of the table, the question is how much more quality is there to come from him?

Currently third in the assists table (6) and not too far from the front of the Golden Boot race (8), we wouldn’t be surprised if you see the local lad picking up even more personal accolades come May.

Well done, Cole – we’ll be pulling out the Palmer celebration the first chance we get. Mainly because it’s December and we’re freezing…

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Featured Images — Premier League (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Pep Guardiola fires back at Liverpool fans after ‘sacked in the morning chants’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pep Guardiola reacts to Liverpool fants chanting sacked in the morning

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hit back at Liverpool fans after chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” rang around Anfield this past weekend.

Not unlike this spell of seven games without a win – now six defeats and one draw – Guardiola has never really had those chants pointed in his direction before given that he’s one of the most successful managers in history, and it’s clear he was just as taken aback as those watching were.

The 2-0 loss to his title rivals marked four straight league defeats for the first time in Pep’s entire career and City‘s worst run since 2008, when the club was first bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

With that in mind, the home crowd certainly had fun at the Spaniard’s expense, and after the chanting continued, he was happy to respond with the facts both on the pitch and in the presser.

Having reminded the Kop End and co. of his time in England thus far, Guardiola went on to reiterate in his post-match press conference: “I’m so proud of my six Premier Leagues against that team and the previous team [under Jürgen Klopp].

While he applauded Arne Slot’s side for their performance, recognising that a trip to Merseyside is always difficult, he didn’t expect to hear the kind of chanting he did after conceding the second goal, and with time still to play against what is still one of the best teams in world football.

“Maybe I deserved to be sacked with our results! Maybe I’m still in the job because I won six Premier Leagues and a lot of titles. They want to sack me. I wish they were more kind. Why didn’t they do it at 0-1? Why didn’t they do it last season when we won the league? Why do they want to sack me now?

“I didn’t expect that from Anfield, for other clubs like Brighton I can understand it, but for Anfield, I didn’t expect this, maybe it is the [level of] respect we have. They know we have won six Premier Leagues. But it’s fine, it’s part of the game.”

In a similar vein, replacement keeper Stefan Ortega (who stepped in for out-of-form Ederson) also said he had been told that the “area [Liverpool] is probably not the best part in the UK” and that his manager responded well to the taunting overall.

Meanwhile, as well as some much-needed levity and sarcasm, the 53-year-old did insist that his years in Manchester have “probably been the best of my life” and that he just wants his team back in their “prime” – we’re sure it won’t be long before we see the familiar City we’re all used to.

In fact, some interpreted Pep’s specific reaction after the full-time whistle as equal parts playful banter and actually admiring Anfield for the atmosphere its supporters create, having criticised the Etihad Stadium for a lack of noise more than once.

We’re not so sure but you can decide for yourself.

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With a promising Nottingham Forest team coming up on Wednesday – not to mention Forest being the only team to have beaten Liverpool in the Prem so far this season – the Catalan coach won’t just be hoping for a defiant home crowd but a desperately needed win if they are to stay in the race.

One thing is for sure, if Pep thinks these ‘sacked in the morning’ chants will be limited to Liverpool, he’s got another thing coming if they go even a goal down in the next game.

Do you think Pep deserves more respect as he suggested, or is behaviour like this completely fair game during derbies and title races?

You can watch his press conference in full down below:

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

Featured Images — Viaplay/Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)

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