A significant section of Stockport County supporters are calling for the club to do what many are dubbing not just the ‘perfect’ reinforcement this January transfer window, but following recent developments, what some have called almost ‘common sense’ at this point.
The player in question is Isaac Tanitoluwaloba Aduraoluwatimileyin Olaofe, also known as and more affectionately referred to as ‘Tanto’.
It’s fair to say he was a firm fan favourite during his time at Edgeley Park, and most in the ground would have him back in a heartbeat.
With that in mind, given that County are not only looking to consolidate their promotion/playoff prospects wherever possible, but Tanto’s current club seem to have just nudged him another step down the pecking order, there is a suggestion that various moving parts could see him return to Stockport.
Naturally getting a lot of questions on Tanto Olaofe, especially with reports coming around his potential availability (or lack of) from the Charlton Athletic end today.
Understand there's interest in a number of targets, including Olaofe. That's *not* to say interest means a…
As per local football writer and Stockport correspondent, Sam Byrne (who also helps out on co-comms for County TV), there’s been plenty of interest in the Lewisham-born attacker, as it appears he may be available before the end of the month.
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That is on loan, at least; although Charlton Athletic FC only recently signed him this past summer, Tanto had to wait until late two-thirds of the way through October to make his debut, even despite the capital-based club going after him quite persistently with a near record fee.
Fans were gutted to see him go, losing both his goal involvements and a big character around the ground – not to mention a great chant, too.
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More crucially, perhaps due to the step from League One to the Championship, or simply not having quite fully settled into the rhythm of his new surroundings, he’s struggled to make much of an impact in his 25 appearances across all competitions.
Registering just a couple of assists and a single goal since arriving at The Valley stadium, compared to his best-ever season at County, when he scored 21 times throughout 2023/24, it’s fair to say that while he’s still put in some impressive peformances that, he hasn’t quite had the same return.
Still sitting as the Hatters’ second-highest scorer (37) since their return to the football league back in 2022, he still managed a dozen finishes and four assists last term, as those kinds of numbers could prove to be a key differential in the Greater Manchester side’s season.
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IF they were to “bring him home” as many fans have already urged the board to do so, that is.
One user wrote, “Can you please tweet the following: Stockport County have agreed a deal with Charlton Athletic to sign Tanto Olaofe on a permanent deal until 2029. TIA [thanks in advance]”; another simply added: “Room for tanto back at Stockport county please.”
While Charlton manager Nathan Jones insisted that Tanto “isn’t going anywhere”, and the 26-year-old may obviously prefer plying his trade back in London, now The Addicks have completed the signing of another forward in seasoned EFL striker Lyndon Dykes, the 26-year-old could be competing for minutes.
Between the Scottish international, last year’s talisman, Matty Godden, Charlie Kelman and youngster Miles Leaburn, there are plenty of offensive options to choose from.
There has also been plenty of pull for the recruitment team to bring back former loan star, Louie Barry – who hasn’t enjoyed the same kind of form since leaving Dave Challinor’s squad either – with the Aston Villa youth product having also sparked some conversation after a recent profile picture change…
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Once again, lots of this remains merely speculation for now, but it can’t be denied that there is a clamour from a sizeable amount of fans to bring either one or both of them back if possible.
Whether or not this affects any potential plans to bring back Isaac Tanto Olaofe as a loanee until the end of the campaign, as rumours continue to hint at, only time will tell. One thing we will say is that a lot can happen in a few days during the transfer window, let alone a few weeks.
MCR Basketball to play special knockout game for the 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester
Danny Jones
Manchester Basketball are set to play an exclusive knockout game here as part of the official MOBOs Fringe events for 2026, with this year’s awards coming to Co-op Live.
There’s a place in the last eight if they can seal a victory, too.
After what feels like a tricky couple of years for Greater Manchester’s main basketball franchise, things look to be on the up for the local team.
Rebrands and rebuilds aside, the Super League side is gradually climbing back up the standings, and with their European North Basketball League (ENBL) campaign still going strong, they could book their spot in the quarters with a win ahead of a big partnered evening in just a few weeks.
Set to face off against Croatian outfit, KK Dubrava, from Zagreb on 10 March, just a couple of weeks before the MOBO Awards get underway in Manchester, the match will be one of several events that the organisation are collaborating with.
With this year marking the MOBOs’ 30th anniversary year and, like with the BRITs, our city set to host it for the first time ever, this special game sets the tone for what’s to come in and around event week.
Fans can expect not just the major red carpet moments, but live DJs spinning hip-hop and afrobeats (courtesy of DJ Kay and special guest, DJ G2), plus a live halftime performance from a MOBO artist.
It’s yet to be confirmed who’ll be popping up centre court, but watch this space…
In case you missed the previous announcements, the 2026 MOBO Awards will see global rap icon Eve and acclaimed comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi host the landmark night for the North, not mention lots of other exciting stuff throughout the full Fringe schedule.
Performances already confirmed on the night include rising British superstar Olivia Dean, as well as FLO and Tiwa Savage, with more still to come.
Better still, for MCR Basketball, they also have the Super League Cup final coming up over at the AO Arena next month, too.
Tickets for all of these events are live now and available to purchase as we speak.
However, with prices for Manchester Basketball vs Dubrava, specifically, priced at just £5, we don’t expect these ones to last long.
Once again, set to be hosted on Tuesday, 10 March at the National Basketball Performance Centre over in Belle Vue, the tip-off is set for 7pm; you can secure your seats HERE.
And in case you were wondering what other big competitive events are coming to Manchester, Co-op Live is booked for its first-ever big sporting final.
Featured Images — Peter Simmons/Publicity pictures (supplied)
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Kate Scott praised for impassioned speech following more racism in Champions League
Danny Jones
Football pundit and sports presenter Kate Scott has been met with plenty of praise for her ‘expert’ handling of the fallout following more racism in the Champions League this week, delivering an emotional and impassioned speech about discrimination live on TV.
The Manchester-born broadcaster, formerly Kate Abdo, was serving as the host on her usual CBS Sports panel on Tuesday, 17 February, when the story of the playoff game between Benfica and Real Madrid – which included a worldie from Vinicius Jr. – was overshadowed by more allegations of racial abuse.
In case you missed it, Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making racist remarks by both Vini Jr and Kylian Mbappe, but supposedly covered his mouth so as not to be caught on camera; the match was then stopped for more than 11 minutes.
Speaking in the aftermath amid the following European fixtures the next day, the Withington-schooled journalist and University of Salford graduate delivered an eloquent reaction to the controversy with peak professionalism.
Absolutely pitch perfect, and all those involved in preparing the statement should be applauded.
While Scott herself recognised that it’s a shame we even have to keep talking about issues like these rather than the sheer simplistic beauty of, well, ‘the beautiful game’, her response is an example of the job being done at arguably its very best: factual, ethical, moving and inspiring.
As you can see, Scott goes on to say, “This isn’t Real Madrid versus Benfica – it is right versus wrong. Vini Junior and Kylian Mbappe said that there was repeated racial abuse.
“Gianluca Prestiani said they misheard, but he covered his mouth to hide what he said from the cameras, and hopefully, we can all agree that if what you are saying on a football pitch is shameful enough to have to hide it from the public, then you’re wrong.”
The Portuguese club, which ultimately lost 1-0 in their first leg at home on the night, have released a statement reaffirming their commitment to “equality, respect, and inclusion” but reiterates that they believe Prestiani and feel he is now the subject of a “defamation campaign”.
Conversely, in a definitive and emphatic closing message, she signs off by adding the following: “The racial diversity on a football pitch in the Champions League is the representation of the global love for this game and the global belonging in this game. This is the very spirit of football.
“And if you don’t agree, then respectfully, you are the one who doesn’t belong.”
This is what the Athletic is supposed to be. Telling important stories & giving in depth analysis. I hope this signals that it will be its focus moving forward.
From CBS ‘Golazo’ show being applauded for tackling the subject head-on, to Cross herself being labelled as everything from “a role model” and “a benchmark” to “the best on the planet” in the outpouring of reactions on social media, it’s fair to say they absolutely nailed it.
Sadly, this is one of many recent examples of prejudice being shared publicly across various UEFA tournaments and beyond in recent years, but the only way we can truly help anti-hate initiatives is by continuing to call them out.
Danny Jones -
19th January 2026 
