0161 continues to help champion the growth of ice hockey on this side of the Atlantic as Manchester Storm and the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)at largemanaged to break respective record attendances.
The Altrincham-based team, who play out of Planet Ice over in the thriving Trafford town, currently sit eighth in the EIHL and even at times when the results are going their way, they continue to pull in some of the biggest and best crowds from around the UK.
Welcoming a total of 52,823 fans into the ‘Storm Shelter’ in 2023, Storm have boasted their best-ever numbers and ticket sales over the past calendar year and the fan base is only getting greater. Massive.
Better still, as per a press release on the club website, 80,745 filed into stadiums across 20 fixtures between Christmas and New Year, with Manchester Storm’s attendances also helping set a new league record for the festive period.
🙌 – 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠
ICYMI – We saw incredible growth during 2023 with waves of new fans joining the ranks and we look to have an even bigger and better 2024! 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗬𝗢𝗨 for your continued support, Manchester ♥️ #TakeShelter | #Manchesterpic.twitter.com/ykaI4gGXnu
— Manchester Storm | #TakeShelter (@Mcr_Storm) January 3, 2024
Not only was the league-wide tally a 5.5% increase on the same set of games last season (26 December 2023 -1 January 2024) and a whole 12.9% compared to the 2019/20 campaign, but the current average attendance per game now sits at over 4,000.
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A solid foundation that the British and Irish supporter base just keeps building on.
Outside of Greater Manchester, Glasgow Clan set a franchise record crowd of 3,577 on Boxing Day against the Belfast Giants and then went on to beat it again just days later with 3,602 fans turning up to the Braehead Arena for the game against Fife Flyers on 30 December.
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Meanwhile, the Dundee Stars’ crowd of 2,342 against the Giants was also a club record Belfast and are now aiming for their an unprecedented trio of consecutive games with attendances over 2,100. It’s a really good time for ice hockey in the UK right now.
The Storm, Giants, Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils all enjoyed sell-out games over the holiday season, regardless of the weather and public transport obstacles that fans often face around this time of the year.
With four months left until the end of the regular season and plenty of time to secure a spot in the playoffs, now is as good a time as any to get behind the premier squad of Manc skaters.
Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Shot (via SCFC)
Sport
Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.
However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”
Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”
The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.
Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.
For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.
Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”
However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.
With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.
Danny Jones -
3rd January 2024 
