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.
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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.
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.
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 considering approach for Wolves boss Gary O’Neil over mystery coaching role
Danny Jones
Manchester United are reportedly considering an approach for Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil over a potential new coaching role.
Although it is thought the Wolves boss is about to be handed a brand-new contract following his impressive efforts at the West Midlands club, a new report from ESPN‘s Mark Ogden is now suggesting that O’Neil is set to be tapped up by Man United as they look to rebuild their backroom.
According to the article published this week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Sports team are interested in offering the 40-year-old as yet unconfirmed role on the Red Devils’ coaching staff and while it’s still unclear whether Erik ten Hag has the new co-owner’s full confidence, it’s clear they’re making plans.
Echoed by The Athletic‘s ever-reliable David Ornstein, who reiterated that Ogden is “really well connected” with the club, it looks like there might be some real legs in this.
What job is Gary O’Neil being considered for at United?
As for what O’Neil’s role around Old Trafford and Carrington, more specifically, would be were he to say yes or even consider an offer (it is thought no formal talks have been held at this stage), that remains a bit of a mystery.
That being said, with the likes of Steve McClaren serving a second spell as assistant manager at ten Hag‘s side – having been hand-picked by the Dutchman for his experience – along with Mitchell van der Gaag who arrived with him from Ajax, it seems unlikely either of the two would make way for O’Neill.
However, with both Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna departing the club in recent years, leaving few other notable outfield names other than ex-striker Benni McCarthy who has been looking after United forwards since 2022, he could be appointed as a strategic figure amongst the first-team coaching staff.
Either way, O’Neil signed a three-year deal with Wolves when he was appointed in August 2023 and has already seen some pretty impressive results, leading them to an admirable 10th place in the Premier League at present, so any proposal from United would have to be a handsome one.
While it still feels unlikely that Gary O’Neil would give up the top job at a top-flight club for an as-yet ‘unknown’ position at United, who remain in flux and still plenty of uncertainty as they start this next chapter, there is an undoubted appeal to being at one of the biggest football clubs on the planet.
Sources are said to have confirmed the United’s interest and O’Neil himself is now aware of the prospective approach but neither club is yet to address the situation.
Ogden’s report also goes on to cite recent rumblings surrounding potential figures to succeed ten Hag if he were to be sacked, with names like Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank being floated around.
In fact, even England manager Gareth Southgate has been linked, though the suggestion has already been shrugged off by the bulk of the fan base and the Three Lions boss himself has also been quick to dismiss the rumours:
Watch the wholesome moment Jude Bellingham gives his jacket to a young mascot to keep him warm
Danny Jones
England supporters are already getting very excited to see Jude Bellingham in the starting 11 ahead of Euro 2024 but the midfielder is winning over even more fans after a clip of a wholesome moment between him and a young mascot went viral.
The Three Lions ended up drawing 2-2 in their second friendly of the international break against Belgium (losing 1-0 to Brazil in the previous game) with Bellingham scoring the equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time.
However, as much as the home fans are looking forward to the Real Madrid star rallying his teammates at the Euros this summer, it was this small but touching interaction with a young kid as the two sides lined up with their mascots just after the walkouts.
Seeing the rain falling and quickly checking in with the small boy sitting in the wheelchair below him, Bellingham rightly offered his pre-match jacket to the little lad to keep him warm.
The reaction online was just as heartwarming too, as countless people jumped on social media to leave comments like, “This is how you know he is Brum, what a nice fella”, “makes me proud to be English” and “Classy as ever from the 20-year-old”.
One person even went so far as to add: “Make this guy captain, wrap him in bubble wrap and take care of him. All youngsters should watch how he conducts himself, absolute professional.”
He wasn’t the only one either, as many eagle-eyed viewers also noted that Manchester City stars Phil Foden and John Stones also gave their jackets to the young mascots standing with him prior to the match. We really do have some lovely lads in this team, don’t we?
Elsewhere, another Greater Mancunian player once again delighted those in the stands and watching back home as Kobbie Mainoo not only made his second appearance and first full start in an England shirt but also earned himself the man of the match award.
The Man United starlet was a late inclusion into Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euros squad, which is likely to change again before the tournament starts, but you won’t find many fans Reds or otherwise wanting him anywhere else other than in the starting lineup.
We’re starting to really like the look of this squad both on and off the pitch and one thing’s for sure, they aren’t just nice blokes – there’s plenty of talent amongst them to win something.
You can watch the highlights of England vs Belgium in full down below: