Sport

Stockport school sees under 15s girls football team crowned national champions

Make that Treble-winning* champions.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 17th July 2025

A local Stockport secondary has welcomed home their under-15s girls’ football team as national champions after winning the English Schools’ FA Cup.

Marple Hall School (MHS), located in the south-east part of the old Cheshire borough, is a high-performing educational institution known for its strong investment in youth sport.

Boasting a large sports hall, dedicated 3G footy pitches, MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area), gymnasium, netball and tennis courts, as well as other grass surfaces, many of the town’s nearby clubs make use of the facilities throughout the year.

However, it’s their homegrown talent that is having the spotlight rightfully shone on them this week, as a side of junior female footballers won the prestigious FA tournament for sporting youngsters.

The squad of Year 10 girls – consisting of Marple Hall players aged 14-15 – faced off against Kings Langley last week in the decisive fixture away at Sixways Stadium, home of Worcester City FC and the Worcester Warriors rugby union side.

Following their landmark victory this month, this most recent title has seen them crowned Stockport, Manchester and now National champions, thanks to their 2-1 win in the Development Cup Finals.

Writing in a proud and lengthy post on the school’s website, headteacher Joe Barker described the campaign as “a remarkable run for a remarkable team” and a “thoroughly deserved” trophy, despite coming up against a “really strong team” travelling from the Hertfordshire village.

Barker went on to add: “Team MHS were supported so well by the travelling family and friends, and of course by the 44 students who made their presence known in the stands. Outnumbered but certainly not outvoiced, the chants from team MHS were non-stop and so supportive.

“Not only that, but the whole school got behind the team with the tie live-streamed into every classroom and our halls over lunch.

“My colleagues tell me that they have never felt an atmosphere like it at MHS, the whole school site reverberating to the cheers when the teams came out, when Penny scored her two amazing goals, and at the final whistle.”

He even cited an anecdote of one young pupil telling fellow teacher Miss Gregory: “This is a really mint day for our school, isn’t it, miss? I’m really glad I come here!” He was responding to the moment the aforementioned Stopfordian star, Penny Hallos, scored an audacious backheel to make it a brace.

Unsurprisingly, she earned the player of the match award for her game-winning efforts.

To make things even sweeter, the incredible achievement was also recognised in the House of Commons, with Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart motioning to toast their success among her fellow peers.

Celebrating not just the English championship but their Treble-winning year, Smart declared: “The whole of the town is incredibly proud of these girls for their achievements. 

“My recent hundredth speech in Parliament was on ensuring that girls and young women were given the opportunities to participate in sport, and it is fantastic to be able to celebrate these young women who are doing just that.

“It’s great to be able to help celebrate their national success at Parliament, and I look forward to them achieving wonderful things going forward.”

Better still, nearly £1,500 was raised on top of the fund collected in order to help get the girls to the ground on matchday, and all that money is going directly towards further sports provision for the girls and young women’s sport, specifically.

You can watch the game in full down below, but we’ve highlighted that ingenious second strike from Hallos for you (rewind to around 41:45 to see her equaliser).

Congrats again to the SK, Greater Mancunian and now National champions – we hope we go on to see plenty of your names up in lights soon enough.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Marple Hall/English Schools’ Football Association/Stockport County (via X)

Sport

Drama Call drop latest limited edition Manchester United collection

Danny Jones Danny Jones Latest Man United Drama Call collab drop location

Viral Manchester streetwear brand Drama Call has finally revealed its latest limited edition Man United collection, and it’s gone down an instant hit with fashionistas and football fans alike.

Better yet, they’re hosting a special pop-up store right outside Old Trafford, so expect massive queues.

Led by a special white jersey inspired by United‘s 1991 anniversary away shirt, the extremely anticipated release is the third they’ve done in tandem with the club, with the Manc company’s reputation having grown significantly over the years.

Now worn by stars such as Aitch, who models as the cover star of the campaign, these drops see hundreds, if not thousands, flock to get their hands on the casualwear – and this newest batch is set to be no different.

As you can see, while the new Drama Call x Man United collection would no doubt sell out online, the local label sticks to keeping the buzz with in-person pop-ups and often surprise locations in and around Greater Manchester.

In this instance, the usual crowds that surround the Drama Call van will be gathering right outside the official Manchester United Megastore for one day only this week.

Oh, and in case you didn’t already guess, it’s first-come, first-served and yes, you have to be very quick.

Besides the twist on the classic and already highly collectable kit design, the collection features a retro ’90s style track jacket, black pullover hoody, and two Drama Call stamped MUFC t-shirts – one black, one white and both with the iconic striped Adidas sleeves.

This isn’t the only big crossover they’ve unveiled in 2025, either, having teamed up with Adidas earlier this year for a very cool sneaker drop.

Once again, the Drama Call x Man United pop-up shop will be opening from 7pm this Thursday only and trust us, the stock won’t last for long.

There may be an opportunity to cop some clobber at a future date, but for now, this is your only opportunity for early access if you’re a big fan of their stuff or just a dyed-in-the-wool Red who fills their wardrobe with pretty much anything Man United.

We expect there’ll be a few going for that kit.

Limited edition footy shirts are all the rage at the moment, especially in the music world, but there’s also a rugby jersey that’s caught our eye recently.

Sale Sharks drop Haçienda-inspired away kit for the 2025/26 season
It features a few cool nods.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester United/Drama Call (press shots)

Sport

A deal has reportedly been agreed for Antony to leave Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Antony transfer update Man United loan deal

Currently exiled winger Antony looks like he’s finally set to leave Manchester United, as the Red Devils have reportedly agreed a deal with a Spanish team, Real Betis, to seal his return.

The 25-year-old winger, who joined Man United from Ajax in 2022 at the behest of former manager Erik ten Hag for nearly £90 million all told, has made 96 appearances for the club, but has only played a handful of games under Ruben Amorim.

In fairness, he did spend six months on loan in La Liga, where he performed so well that Betis players joked they should set up a crowdfunder in order to sign him permanently.

Most notably, he also doesn’t look to be part of Amorim’s plans, and it looks like the Sevillan side may not have to turn to far-fetched measures after all.

Sharing the update on social media, Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath wrote: “Agreement in principle for Antony to return to Real Betis, according to Spanish sources.

“Talks have been over a deal where the 25yo Brazil forward to eventually move permanently after [an] initial loan.”

Expanding in a full column, the football writer also briefed readers re: ongoing talks with potential new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, who looks close to sealing an estimated £21.6m transfer.

As you can see, since these reports, the latest from other sources is that an official bid has now been received, though nothing has been signed just yet.

It goes without saying that Antony, who scored nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Los Béticos – many of which came in crucial games – would be keen on the switch.

Once again, it is only believed to be an agreement in principle at this point, but there is understandably a keenness on all sides.

You can see why he was an instant hit with their supporters down below.

Antony quickly looked much more at home in the Betis starting XI than he did in Manchester.

Although it is said that United have not yet accepted the bid, freelance transfer specialist Sam Alex claims that the Premier League club would prefer not to loan him out for a second time.

That being said, as McGrath states, it’s thought that the hope is that they can agree on another short-term spell in the immediate, with a look to sign him full-time at a later date.

Betis have reiterated that they still have a modest budget when it comes to recruitment, and it is unclear whether they’d be able to raise enough money via player sales by January to make it a permanent deal.

United have ended up spending more than £200m this window and are rumoured to be spending further as Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Sports Group look to try and get the global sporting brand back to ‘the good days’, which the Portuguese coach insists are coming.

Nevertheless, the ex-Sporting boss has now played more Premier League games (29) than he has won points, of which he has amassed just 28 thus far. Those new signings have to start clicking soon.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)/La Liga (screenshot via YouTube)

More Sport

Mayor Andy Burnham statement update after Salford Red Devils RFL meeting

News

Greater Manchester Mayors deliver update on Salford Red Devils situation

Bare knuckle boxing Manchester AO Arena 2025 BKFC 81

Affiliate

A night of bare-knuckle boxing is coming to Manchester’s AO Arena

Man City fan groups call for voices to be heard statement on season ticket changes

News

Manchester City supporters groups call on club and fellow fans to ‘make their voices heard’

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches