Manchester United have confirmed how they plan to honour the late, great Sir Bobby Charlton, who sadly passed away on Saturday, 21 October, revealing multiple tributes this week.
Tributes have been pouring in for the club and England legend following his death over the weekend, as players past and presents, staff and fans already having been welcomed to the home ground to lay flowers and scarves outside the Trinity Statue, as well as sign the book of condolences, with thousands more doing the same online in a digital dedication.
However, since the news of Charlton’s passing was learned not long before Man United’s away win against Sheffield United — with Harry Maguire dedicating the victory to the iconic World Cup winner — the club is yet to give Sir Bobby the proper send-off he deserves from the Old Trafford faithful.
That being said, the club have now officially revealed how they will pay their respects to the special footballer, starting several tributes at tonight’s Champions League match against FC Copenhagen.
Ready to honour Sir Bobby at his spiritual home ❤️
A full list of plans detailing numerous Sir Bobby Charlton tributes.
As detailed in a club statement, United “will honour and remember Sir Bobby at our men’s first-team game against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday through a special pre-match tribute, which will conclude with a minute’s silence before kick-off.
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Opening turnstiles will be open from 6pm, two hours before they are due to play, they are asking fans to arrive early and take their seats so as to give them plenty of time to prepare for the ceremony and pay their respects.
As the pre-match update goes on to explain, “a wreath will be in place on Sir Bobby’s seat within the Director’s Box, players and staff will wear black armbands and Sir Bobby will be remembered on the cover of the matchday programme.”
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There will also be further tributes to the 1968 European Cup, FA Cup and the three-time division one title-winner in the matchday programme for the Manchester derby this weekend, with Manchester City having already offered their condolences and apologised for the behaviour of some of their fans.
After a minute’s silence was observed and black armbands were worn by the United Women’s team during their WSL game against Everton at Leigh Sports Village on Monday, Sir Bobby will be similarly commemorated at their UEFA Youth League game on Tuesday as well, with club labelling it “a fitting tribute given his long association with our Academy”.
The book of condolence will also once against be available for fans to leave messages and memories in the International Suite from 10am-4pm right up until this Friday.
And lastly, ahead of their home fixtures against Man City in the Premier League this weekend, the club has said they will “celebrate the life of Sir Bobby with a minute’s applause and expressions of fan remembrance with flags and surfer banners” which will be passed around the stadium. It will be an emotional moment inside Old Trafford, for sure.
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They have assured that further information surrounding Sunday’s match and Charlton’s tributes will be communicated later this week and signed off by thanking the fan base for their “support over recent days and for ensuring we can remember Sir Bobby in such a dignified and respectful manner.”
Featured Image — Manchester United (via Instagram)
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Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
We're saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Ian Mellor.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Featured Images — Manchester City/Neil Mellor (via X)
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Manchester MMA star Tom Aspinall slams ‘unfair’ start times for UFC 304 at Co-op Live
Danny Jones
Local MMA star Tom Aspinall has come out to criticise the start times for UFC 304 here in Manchester, calling it ‘unfair’ for fans here in the UK.
In case you missed that rather big announcement, the UFC is returning to Manchester after nearly a decade and will be the very first sporting event held at the brand-new Co-op Live Arena, which is finally set to open this week following multiple delays (touch wood).
However, in an effort to keep broadcasters and the UFC‘s massive audience back in the US, the fight card will be starting until around 3am – and that’s at the very earliest.
Responding to the decision the Atherton-born and Salford-based fighter posted a video on his socials saying, “As a fan who wants to watch it live, I think it is absolutely terrible”.
He goes on to say that “it’s just not fair on the fans – the UK fans obviously. It’s predominantly an American audience so I understand that, they want to sell to them, but why can’t they sell to them in the afternoon which is our evening time?
While he admitted it “doesn’t make that much difference” to him as a fighter, the 31-year-old went on to ask, “Why can’t the American watch it in the afternoon and Manchester, the UK and European fans can all fly to the event and sell out this new arena?”
“I mean, it’s going to sell out regardless, mate”, Aspinall reiterated, adding that “we’re very lucky to have a pay-per-view event in Manchester” but that forcing the British audience and Mancs to watch something just down the road at a US-convenient time just doesn’t seem right.
There’s been plenty of backlash amongst MMA fans online too, with many stating that it simply goes to show that the UFC as an organisation “don’t care” about overseas supporters as much as they claim to.
As the current interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall will be right up at the top of the billing for UFC 304, which is the first time the event has been in the UK full stop since 2016.
We can only hope for similarly victorious scenes for the North West this July.
As for the shiny new venue, Co-op Live, after a fair few teething problems it looks like they are now on course to open just a week or so after the initial launch date. Not so bad.
Danny Jones -
24th October 2023 
