Star Stockport County striker, Isaac ‘Tanto’ Olaofe, has officially left the Greater Manchester club for a move up the English pyramid.
Affectionately referred to as Tanto by players, coaches and supporters alike, the County forward has been one of the League One side’s most regular goal threats in the last couple of years, but now the London-born footballer is heading back down south.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Hatters back in January of 2023, finished his debut season at Edgeley Park as their top scorer in the third tier with 20 goals to his name, the most of any player in an EFL season since club legend Luke Beckett in 2002/03.
More than two decades on – and besides former marksman Paddy Madden’s offensive contributions – he’s become one of the biggest and firmest fan favourites for obvious reasons. However, Tanto has now left Stockport for pastures new, joining recently promoted Championship club, Charlton Athletic FC.
Ah Tanto! You will be missed by the County faithful! Go smash the Champ lad and thanks for the memories 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nJOmAJj4V6
Joining the second division returnees from the south-east side of the capital on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, Olaofe leaves Stockport County having scored 37 times and registered a handful in 121 appearances.
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Signing a three-year contract with the Addicks following his 24/25 campaign, which saw him register a total of 16 goal contributions, he described the switch as “a great feeling”.
Writing a message simply titled, ‘Stockport County – Thank you for everything’, on his own social media, Tanto said: “I want to thank everyone at Stockport, from the management, coaches/backroom and my teammates for the great memories, experiences, and friendships we’ve shared over the years!
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“A massive shout out to the ‘heart of County’ – the supporters – for the love and support. This experience has helped to mature me and has helped in shaping me in making me the player I am today, so once again, thank you all! Up the Hatters! It’s been an amazing journey.
Meanwhile, the majority of the County faithful are understandably gutted, with one fan posting, “My kids will be absolutely gutted” (along with a picture of them together), and another adding: “First of many heartbreaks for my boys! They were thrilled to meet you, and thank you for being so good with them.”
Others have brushed past their gratitude more quickly and are simply ‘baffled’ by the decision to let him go, with one person commenting, “Why on earth have we sold him? Shocking”; most have simply put something along the lines of, ‘Cheers, now I’m crying.’
Speaking via a lengthy club statement, County CEO Simon Wilson bid a fond farewell to Olaofe: “It is with both a heavy but also proud heart that we say goodbye to Tanto, a player who has added so much to our club in the two-and-a-half years he has been here.
“I remember in his first interview, Liam asked ‘how would you describe yourself?’, to which Tanto replied ‘I like to be a nuisance for defenders’! He has been that for sure, but so much more, too.
“We will remember the special goals, like the header to equalise in the League Two Play-Off semi-final against Salford, the hat-trick vs Wrexham in the title-winning campaign, and the mazy run against Bolton last season. But more importantly, we will remember so much more of his personality and positivity, which brought so much to our environment.
“But we’ve been open in saying that the future of the Club is smart player trading, and so on presentation of this offer – which represents over 10x the original fee paid and gives a player who has given everything to the club, the opportunity to play at a higher level – we felt it was something we had to do.
To those questioning the thinking behind the move, he reiterated that the Championship hopefuls will now challenge themselves to recruit just as smartly once again. It looks like the overarching plan is to do shrewd, mindful business wherever possible.
Featured Images — Stockport County (via website/YouTube screenshot)/Charlton Athletic (via X)
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Rodri has been fined for his comments about referees following Man City vs Spurs game
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Rodri has been fined a large sum for his comments about recent refereeing following the Blues’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The Man City midfielder and Spanish international has avoided a match ban, as many supporters first feared, but will still pay £80k as punishment for the remarks.
While perhaps not a huge figure for a Premier League footballer, he still admitted to questioning the officiating on the day, but did submit evidence to the board in arguing his case.
The Euro 2024 winner had already been charged by the FA following the comments a fortnight after the frustrating home draw, but was given until 18 February to respond/appeal.
BREAKING: Rodri has been fined £80,000 and warned about his future conduct over comments made following Man City's draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month. pic.twitter.com/wdP4slCNef
At the time, little detail was revealed about what exactly was said to the ref, with Rodri accusing Rob Jones of not being neutral and acting in an ‘improper manner’, but it was his comments in the post-match zone that shone an extra spotlight on the situation.
Speaking to the media after the game, the 29-year-old said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard.
“When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s one game and another game and another game – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”
Rodri was referring to the equaliser by Dominic Solanke, who scored his brace in the 70th-minute to bring his team level, but City and many other football fans believed kicked through defender Marc Guehi’s leg to do so.
As a result, instead of a foul being given, the goal stood, the game ended 2-2, and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to drop crucial points in this year’s title race.
In case you missed any of it, you can see the challenge/controversial goal in question HERE, and listen to Rodri’s response in the immediate aftermath down below.
As you can see, he went on to insist that the incident was “so clear”, as well as intimating that this wasn’t the first time.
He and others around the club believe he and his teammates had been on the receiving end of some incorrect decisions for “two, three games in a row”, adding, “I don’t know why.”
What do you make of the choice to fine Rodri for his comments about referees, or do you think the central Man City cog should have even been punished?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
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Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
Danny Jones -
2nd July 2025 
