A Manchester United fan group is planning the next large-scale protest outside Old Trafford in response to the latest raft of unpopular decisions by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his executive board.
The ‘Theatre of Dreams’ has been subject to many fan protests in the last few years, the most notable of late being the demonstrations in May 2021, which saw thousands surrounding the premises and many supporters even breaking into the stadium.
Although the previous instances were in response to the Glazer family’s much-maligned stewardship, the upcoming protest is in response to the new co-owners and minority shareholder Ratcliffe along with the INEOS Sports Group who have taken control of footballing operations over the past year or so.
It’s barely been a full 12 months since the partial takeover was completed and despite plenty of early positivity, the mood amongst the Man United fan base looks to slumped significantly already, with results and actions around the club changing the sentiment significantly. Cue groups such as The 1958:
🗣️Shall we begin: Announcing protest Arsenal 9th March
We have been preparing for this for a few weeks in anticipation.
We are angry, the fans are angry and it’s been building for some time.
The long-standing fan group (named so in memory of the ‘Busby Babes’ and the Munich Air Disaster) are now gearing up for their next big protest, which is scheduled to take place ahead of Man United’s game against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March.
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Although the Red Devils have other home matches before this fixture, including Ipswich on Wednesday, 26 February and the next round of the FA Cup against Fulham, it seems poignant that the fans have selected one against a fierce rival and one which gives them plenty of time to prepare.
The announcement begins by stating: “We have been preparing for this for a few weeks in anticipation. We are angry, the fans are angry and it’s been building for some time.
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“We have all been more than patient. We all know the root cause, we have always known the elephant in the room. Yet, this isn’t being addressed. It’s those who can least afford it, have the most emotional connection with our club who are being asked to pay the price in more ways than one.”
The 1958 go on to accuse the new administration – as what they now feel is merely a continuation of the Glazers’ neglect – of “trampling over generational support and memories of friends and family who handed the club over to us like something they have stepped in.”
Citing “the treatment of fans from the club” and “eradication of fan culture”, they point towards recent widespread grievances such as United targeting concessions and upping the prices of tickets for the remainder of the season; excluding a fan with dementia, ‘forwarding membership’ debacle and more.
The most recent and notable is another imminent series of job losses, with upwards of 100 staff set to be made unemployed.
The post which has already been reshared countless times online, which at least hints at the kind of numbers the protest will garner, goes on to argue that while the club “preach fan engagement the reality is they dont practice it”, adding “We know this first hand and have evidence.”
“ACTIONS NOT WORDS, IT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH […] We rise again to defend our club and be warned this will not just be on the street campaigns at the ground. Keep treating the fans with contempt at your peril.” An unwaveringly serious tone, to say the least.
In case you need a reminder of the protest scenes we’ve seen from United fans in the past, be it in the name of the ‘Glazers Out’ movement or clubs rallying against Super League talk, look no further…
Let’s just say some much-needed good results in the coming weeks could go a long way towards deciding just how big this next demonstration will be.
Are you a Man United fan who will be heading to the next protest at Old Trafford?
Manchester City finally release special Year of the Horse collection for Lunar celebrations
Danny Jones
Manchester City have officially launched their new ‘Year of the Horse’ kit, along with several other items in their latest lifestyle range.
The collection, which has been released as part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, was leaked online in late 2025 before being officially teased earlier this year, but now Man City have fully unveiled the limited edition clothing items.
It follows the commercial success of their previous Chinese New Year-inspired kits and wider fashion lines over the last few seasons.
For anyone not up to speed on their Zodiac calendar knowledge, 2026 is officially (you guessed it) the year of the horse, hence this choice for the new ‘Capsule Collection’.
“Set in earthy, neutral tones, the limited-edition Year of the Horse Capsule Collection captures both the stillness of vintage Chinese portraiture and the motion of a team in full stride.”
Revolving around a grey and almost beige colour palette, the full drop includes a new pre-match ‘Anthem’ jacket, a dark graphic design tee, a baseball cap, as well as a soft horse plushie.
The focal point, however, is obviously the jersey itself – though it remains to be confirmed whether or not the special seasonal strip will be worn in any games this campaign as other one-off/special limited edition shirts have been in the past.
The price points range from £15 for the soft toy to £90 for the adult shirt, with the aforementioned Puma KING Anthem zip-up jacket already available in six colours.
What do you make of the latest lifestyle collection, Blues?
Somewhat fittingly, the Year of the Horse and other items finally debuted on the same day that their local rivals across the other side of town, Manchester United, released some new threads of their own: the second Adidas x The Stone Roses collection.
As for this years Lunar celebrations, the official plans for here in Manchester city centre have now been revealed. You can find out more down below.
Stockport County confirm signing of new striker Adama Sidibeh
Danny Jones
Stockport County Football Club have officially unveiled the signing of new striker, Adama Sidibeh, from St Johnstone FC.
This comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether or not the deal for the forward was going to be done, despite his medical having already been passed.
Sidibeh was linked with a move from the Scottish Premiership quite early in the January transfer window, and the transfer fee had already reportedly been agreed, but there was apparently to be some contention over personal terms.
However, it seems the impasse has now been overcome and a full agreement reached, with the Hatters finally announcing the completion of his deal on Tuesday, 27 January.
As you can see, the Gambian international is no stranger to England nor the North West, having moved back to the UK to be with his family in 2022, before going on to join local Stockport club Cheadle Heath Nomads in 2022.
Moving on to nearby Cheshire outfit Warrington Rylands FC the following season, he continued to prove himself as a quick and consistent goal threat, ultimately sealing a switch to The Saints in 2024.
Sidibeh’s transfer fee from St Johnstone to SCFC remains undisclosed.
Penning a two-and-a-half-year contract, the latest County recruit is the third signing of the January transfer window so far, following the most recent arrival of Josh Dacres-Cogley from Bolton Wanderers earlier this month.
Having been given the number 26, he is the latest offensive reinforcement at Edgeley Park as they look to enjoy a fairly ‘aggressive’ window, as promised.
Speaking on his new home in a club statement, the 27-year-old said: “I’m so excited to be [sitting] here now as a Stockport County player.
“It’s a town and a club I already know so well from my time at Nomads, which made it an easy decision for me and my family to come here once we heard that County were interested.
“I can’t wait to get going now, to start my career in the Football League and to play in front of 10,000 fans at Edgeley Park. I’ve worked very hard to get to this place in my career since moving to England, and will work even harder now I’m here to help the team as we go for promotion.”
As for his new manager, Dave Challinor made it clear they were keen to capitalise on his contract running out, adding that apart from being a bit of a late bloomer in pro football, “he’s a real hard worker that provides real intensity in his press. and really wants to threaten defenders both in and out of possession.”
“He’s scored all types of goals at every level he’s played at, but this will, without doubt, be a step up for him” – it just remains to be seen how he’ll take to the League One and wider EFL challenge.
Danny Jones -
17th February 2025 
