One of the best parts about Manchester is that it embracespeople from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter your race, colour, creed; sexuality or gender — as long as you’re sound, you’re welcome.
That being said, another big part of what makes this city so special is its rich sporting history and culture, something that continues to run throughout the fabric of communities across Greater Manchester to this day – football, in particular. We love kicking a ball around.
Now, thanks to Manchester Laces – founded in 2021 – people who identify as non-binary/gender-neutral have the perfect place to keep fit, make new friends and enjoy a kickabout.
Starting just over 18 months ago, Manchester Laces now boasts more than 500 participants, many of which are regular members of the five squads set up by the region’s first-ever inclusive women’s and non-binary football team. Quality.
Furthermore, the LGBTQ+ inclusive team set up their own AF (Alternative Football) League, based out of Whalley Range Sports Centre and Cheetwood Sports in Cheetham Hill and playing games all across 0161.
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Set up by Manchester Laces founder Helen Hardy, 40-50-minute games are played at the two venues most Wednesdays from 6-9pm, with matches varying from five and six to seven and 11-a-side.
The team also competes in divisions two and three of the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League, as well as offering pay-as-you-go sessions on Mondays, training at Platt Lane Sports Complex on Thursdays and various games throughout the week thanks to the FA’s Flexi League.
— Manchester Laces 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@ManchesterLaces) October 2, 2022
The success of the club over the past year or so has been incredible, securing sponsors from the likes of the Stadio podcast and global scientific materials manufacturers Avery Dennison for this year.
They couldn’t have topped their meteoric rise any better either, as they also recently went on to win the award for the 2022 National Grassroots Club of the Year. Fully deserved.
As well as appearing on billboards around the city and surrounding communities, their kits for this season are now on show in the National Football Museum, with the Manchester sporting institution recognising the club’s immense dedication towards championing women in football and equality for all.
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You can see visit the ‘Crossing the Line’ exhibition at the museum right now and see how they have recognised the inclusive, community-focused club’s contribution to women’s football and British sport as a whole.
It was a pleasure to welcome some of the @ManchesterLaces squad to the museum yesterday, seeing their contribution to the game reflected in our Crossing the Line exhibition. 🏳️🌈
There is also the South London Laces team, set up in 2016, with both delegations doing their bit to provide a safe, friendly and conducive community space for those looking to keep active and make friends through football.
In fact, the Laces Community Club is made up of four teams total: Limehouse, South London, Manchester and, of course, the Hackney Laces – the original club set up in 2011 by Canadian-born footy coach, Katee Hui, who kicked this whole thing off.
It’s here, and it’s absolute 🔥
Introducing our new Away kit, modelled by your very own South London Laces players. 🤩
The kit is available for pre-order for anyone and everyone through @wearefoudys – follow the link in our bio. Run, don’t walk! You don’t want to miss out. pic.twitter.com/cx2wDD6A5b
With Manchester the first Laces outfit to be established outside of the capital, the organisation now supports nearly 1,000 girls, women and non-binary individuals across the UK. You love to see it.
Moreover, in a year where the footballing narrative is already dominated by a controversial World Cup held in a country that persecutes the LGBTQ+ community and suppresses human rights in general, it’s heartwarming to hear the positive stories of all kinds of people being made to feel welcome.
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Taking in players of all ages and abilities, Manchester Laces and the wider Laces Community is about putting fun first and providing an outlet for people who, sadly, are often marginalised from certain groups and activities like sport, to build a stronger social network of like-minded peers.
Lastly, in a year where we celebrated the Lionesses lifting England’s first trophy in over 50 years, their support for women in sport from amateur level all the way up to professional is admirable, and is no doubt helping garner further interest in female football and its already growing audience.
If you’re interested in giving Manchester Laces a try, you can find out more about how to get involved HERE and you can also help combat inequality by signing their petition for the FA to update their rules on transgender and mixed-gender players.
Louder for those at the back: football is for everyone.
Manchester United’s long-serving receptionist Kath Phipps has died aged 85
Danny Jones
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A Manchester United legend has moved on as the club has confirmed that much-loved receptionist Kath Phipps has unfortunately passed away at the age of 85.
Simply known as ‘Kath on Reception’ not only by those in and around the club but, believe it or not, millions of fans around the world, the long-serving member of the Man United family died this week.
Confirming the news on Thursday, 5 December, United said they were “heartbroken” to share the news with supporters.
Phipps, who first joined the club way back in 1968 when Sir Matt Busby was still manager, has been at the club longer than any current members of staff and will be sorely missed by not just many but countless individuals she came across in more than five decades at the club.
Writing in an official statement, the club said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved colleague Kath Phipps at the age of 85. An omnipresent figure at Manchester United since the late 1960s, Kath worked for the club for over 55 years in a variety of roles, but her contribution went beyond any particular job title.
In loving memory of Kath Phipps: friend, confidant and treasured colleague.
“A childhood United fan from Irlam, Kath became the Reds’ switchboard operator in September 1968, shortly after the Reds’ first European Cup success, and was soon forging friendships with Sir Matt Busby, Jimmy Murphy and United’s star-studded squad, spending countless hours with Ballon d’Or winners George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law as they signed autographs to send to their fans.”
Phipps – a pillar of the club for more than half a century – was there throughout Sir Alex Ferguson‘s 26-year tenure and every manager since; the legendary coach even brought the entire squad along to the funeral of her late husband, Richard, and many players visited her during lockdown.
For most people who have ever visited the Carrington training complex, ‘Kath on Reception’ is the very first face they see and was always famed for its incredibly friendly manner and warm embrace.
Players both past and present, as well as countless other figures attached to the club, have been paying tribute to the United veteran who epitomised their values and was revered by all.
David Beckham shared: “Forever in our hearts… The first and last face I would always see was Kath sat at reception at Old Trafford waiting to give me my tickets for the game , she was the heartbeat of Manchester United , everyone knew who Kath was and everyone adored her…
“I moved up to Manchester at 15 and Kath made a promise to my mum and dad ‘I’ll look after your boy for you don’t you worry’ and from that first day till the last day I spent with her that’s exactly what she did.
“Old Trafford will never be the same without your smile as we walk through those doors… We love you”
Wayne Rooney pays an emotional tribute to long-standing #mufc employee Kath Phipps on his Instagram page.
Sorry to hear about Kath on reception passing away. Lovely, modest, loyal, lady. 55 years at MUFC. I tweeted a pic of her in May ‘22 and showed her the huge reaction. She was well chuffed and showed her family. Then said: “thank you so much. I’m only doing my job.” RIP. pic.twitter.com/6DPQ1wwhPG
Current defender Diogo Dalot shared a touching message on social media which read: “You’ve seen it all… You truly represented everything [that] Man United is about. Thank you for taking care of us. Rest in peace, Kath, we love you.”
The Athletic football writer Laurie Whitwell hailed her as “always so welcoming”, while the BBC’s Simon Stone wrote: “Absolutely devastated by this news. Kath was such a lovely lady, always smiling and laughing and totally devoted to Manchester United.
“A constant presence during my 20+ years covering the club. Last saw her earlier this year. Very frail but still positive. A trip to Carrington was always better after a hug from Kath. RIP.”
Speaking on her 55th anniversary in 2023, she told the club: “I don’t think I’ve had one cross word with anybody in all the years I’ve been here. I look forward to coming in and having a smile on my face every day, wishing people ‘good morning’. I just enjoy being here. Not everybody can say they enjoy going to work but I do. Football has been my life.”
Paying tribute to her in the best way they know how, they shared another quote in which she simply said: “I can’t imagine doing anything else” – to which they simply added, “Well, we can’t imagine the place without her.”
Rest in peace, Kath on Reception, a loyal servant famous for her hugs. We see no better way to sum her up than with this heartwarming clip. Our thoughts go out to her friends, family and all those at Manchester United whose lives she touched.
Featured Images – Manchester United/TNT Sports (screenshot)
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Kevin de Bruyne’s comeback sparks Manchester City’s return to winning ways
Danny Jones
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Manchester City got back to winning ways on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest to end their winless streak, and it looked seemingly to be down to the return of one man: Kevin De Bruyne.
Pep Guardiola has been keeping careful with the Belgian’s fitness in recent weeks, only risking him from the bench of late, but De Bruyne’s long-awaited restoration to the matchday XI appeared to have achieved the desired effect as Man City looked much more like their dominant selves.
Starting his first game in nearly three months, the midfield maestro created Bernardo Silva’s opening goal in just the eighth minute and scored a powerful strike for the second around the half-hour mark, as well as helping keep the tempo ticking throughout the game.
The 33-year-old unsurprisingly picked up the Man of the Match award following his impressive return to the starting lineup, being met with a standing ovation when was taken off in the 74th minute. You watch back his emphatic moment of the night here:
Netting not only his first goal since August but helping finally break the Blues’ winless run (seven losses, one draw prior to the Forest win), De Bruyne‘s full return was desperately needed both for the team and the fans.
For all the talk of Rodri’s injury having killed City’s form, and the 2024 Ballon D’or winner’s absence has certainly been felt immensely by those around the club, KDB’s contribution came as the right tonic and just at the right time.
The increase in creativity and goal threat also looked to translate to the forwards, with a total of 17 shots created and Jérémy Doku getting himself on the scoresheet for the third and final finish at the death.
At the other end of the pitch, Guardiola‘s men also managed to keep their first clean sheet since 26 October and with every game now a must-win if they are to stand even the slimmest chance of catching Arne Slot’s high-flying Scousers, regaining their levels at both ends of the pitch is crucial.
Speaking after the game, the number 17 thanked the fan for turning up to the Etihad Stadium on what was a very grim and rainy night in Manchester; he also went to confess that whilst it’s been a difficult period for him personally, he was just happy to get past 70 minutes and hopefully shift the “momentum”.
De Bruyne gave an uplifted but honest interview after ending a seven-game streak without a win for City.
De Bruyne’s performance saw plenty hopping on social media to once again proclaim not just the best midfielder in English football but “the greatest player” full stop and perhaps even the greatest the Premier League has ever seen. It’s getting hard to argue otherwise at this point. We’re getting déjà vu…
Be it the hamstring injury that’s been keeping him out most, or the abdominal issues that have held him back from being a regular starter most recently, neither his quality, age nor his relationship with Pep come into it – if/when he can play, he’s simply phenomenal.
With title rivals Liverpool having dropped points for just the third time all season with a dramatic 3-3 draw against Newcastle, it was pretty much a perfect night for Man City, though they still have a mountain to climb and can’t afford to make any slip-ups if they want to be in the conversation come May.
One thing is for sure, since it looks as though Rodri is very unlikely to make an appearance before the end of the season – no matter how determined he might be to make a comeback – the four-time consecutive champions will surely need to Kev to stay fit even if they want to close that nine-point gap.
You can see the highlights from Man City’s 3-0 home win over Nottingham Forest down below:
Danny Jones -
28th October 2022 
