Sport

Macclesfield FC announce signing of National League player from local rivals

He's swapping Greater Manchester for Cheshire.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 13th January 2026

After their magical FA Cup victory this past weekend, Macclesfield FC have followed up the good news by announcing the signing of a player not only from the division above, but one leaving an old rival club here in the North West.

What a time to be a fan of The Silkmen.

Yes, just a couple of days after knocking out the holders, Crystal Palace, and progressing to the next round, Macclesfield were jokingly being linked with all manner of talent, from Messi to Bruno Fernandes, but they have still managed to secure a new player in the middle of the park from the National League.

Dropping down a level to the sixth tier of English football, the now ex-Altrincham FC midfielder Elliot Osborne has been officially unveiled, swapping red stripes for blue and white.

Confirmed on 12 January, the 29-year-old Port Vale academy graduate is no stranger to the region, having previously represented the likes of Nantwich Town, Tranmere Rovers, Southport and two loan spells at Stockport County.

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Born in Stoke-on-Trent and spending several years up and down the EFL, as well as various non-league teams, he joined Alty FC back in 2022 and went on to make nearly two centuries’ worth of appearances.

However, despite playing a key role for The Robins – competing in the 2023/24 playoffs and even helping former employers beat his new ones at Macclesfield in an FA Trophy penalty shoot-out just last season – the captain was released from the local club by mutual consent this month.

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Commenting on his arrival, the club said in a statement: “The combative, hard-working midfielder adds great experience to the Silkmen midfield ranks.

“Please join us in giving Elliot a warm welcome to the Leasing.com Stadium, and we wish him every success during his time with the Silkmen.”

It remains to be seen how much more business the formerly Robbie Savaged backed and managed side will do in the remainder of the January transfer window.

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Despite having limited resources, currently placed 14th in the National League North, it’s fair to say there’s been so fresh interest in the project following their ‘David and Goliath’ story.

The aforementioned ‘cup-set’ against Palace has quickly gone down as one of the competition’s most memorable and magical ties in recent memory, and Osborne will no doubt be looking forward to seeing how far they can go in the knockout tournament.

You can watch his first interview in full down below.

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Featured Images — Silkmen TV (screenshot via YouTube)/Macclesfield FC (via X)

Sport

Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.

The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.

The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.

Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.

26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.

As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.

The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.

But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.

Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.

Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

Sport

Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season

Danny Jones Danny Jones Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for rest of the season

Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.

With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.

Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.

Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.

Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.

It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.

Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.

“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”

He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.

Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season

Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.

Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.

That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.

Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?

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Featured Images — Bolton Wanderers FC

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