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.
Featured Images — Marple Hall/English Schools’ Football Association/Stockport County (via X)
Sport
Stockport County release ‘classic’ and historic third kit as a charitable nod to their past
Danny Jones
Stockport County have released their third kit for the 2025/26 season, and the stylish nod to their history has not only gone down as an instant hit among the fan base, but it also doubles as a vital fundraiser for grassroots football.
County are gearing up for their second season back in League One after just missing out on back-to-back promotions and a glorious return to the Championship in the previous campaign.
Enjoying life under manager Dave Challinor, the Greater Manchester club has come a long way over the past few years, and they’ve made sure not to forget their past either.
Unveiling the new third shirt with a moving kit reveal video that harkens back to their past as part of the local sporting community.
Reverting to their historical cross crest for the 25/26 third kit, the striking green strip pays tribute to the nearby origins, having spent their foundational years as a footballing outfit at Green Lane in Heaton Norris – a Stopfordian suburb and one of the four thriving Heatons.
Before Stockport went by County, they were called Heaton Norris Rovers, and so they decided to rewind the clock and bring back the old badge for this noteworthy kit drop.
“Players from the Men’s first team and Academy, as well as members of the Ladies team and individuals from our community groups through the Stockport County Community Trust, all took part.”
Teaming up with local photographer Andrew Findlay to tap into that authentic, old feeling in the images, using vintage 35mm film to create a “timeless quality, perfectly matching the historic crest and the nostalgic feel of the location where our journey began”, the results speak for themselves.
Putting our own allegiances aside, this simple and stripped-back shirt design isn’t just an instant classic among most County fans, but it’s one of our favourite football shirts to come out of Greater Manchester for some time.
Ok, stop what you're doing — consider #SCFC's latest drop exhibits C-Z!? 🔥
The shoot itself was even held at their former ground on Green Lane, with players, fans and youngsters gathering in front of the historic Nursery Inn pub, as well as on the bowling green, right next to where they used to play their home matches back in 1889 before moving to Edgeley Park in 1902.
As the club goes on to write: “This launch is more than just a new kit; it’s a celebration of our grassroots history. The green colour scheme reflects not only the Green Lane ground, but also the Club’s deep roots in the local community.
“To honour this legacy, we are committed to supporting the next generation of local talent. For every third kit sold, £2 will be donated to Stockport County‘s Grassroots Football Fund, helping to ensure that football continues to thrive at a local level.
“This new kit is a tribute to our past, a commitment to our present, and an investment in our future. We can’t wait to see the County faithful wearing this piece of our history with pride.” You love to see it.
If you’re interested, you can grab one HERE and help donate to regional grassroots support.
Featured Images — Stockport County/Andrew Findlay (supplied)
Sport
Manchester Storm announce signing of ‘proven goalscorer’ Brandon Cutler ahead of new season
Danny Jones
Local ice hockey side Manchester Storm have announced a promising new signing in the form of Canadian forward, Brandon Cutler – a player they have already dubbed as a “proven goalscorer.”
Cutler arrives from DEL2 (DEL2 (Deutsche Eishockey Liga 2) outfit EC Kassel Huskies over in Hessen, Germany, where he spent his maiden campaign outside of North America.
Now set to remain on the European circuit for a sophomore season and first here in the UK, the Alberta-born winger and Western Hockey League (WHL) youth product comes with a great pedigree and stat pack even at just 25.
Officially revealed on Tuesday night, 5 August, Storm didn’t hide their excitement over the acquisition of the soon-to-be Elite Ice Hockey League debutant.
Having notched multiple AHL call-ups and represented teams such as the Abbotsford Canucks, Belleville Senators, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Colorado Eagles, as well as the Victoria Royals and Red Deer Rebels, he’s amassed plenty of worldly experience and a broader knowledge of the sport.
It’s this foundation, along with a record of 25 points (11G, 14A) across 40 appearances in his first season across the pond, that has seen him identified as a viable attacking threat for Manchester Storm.
Writing in a statement on the club website, they noted how “Cutler enjoyed a highly productive spell with the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), where he amassed 122 points (61G, 61A) in just 127 games.”
During his five cumulative seasons with the Royals and the Rebels, he racked up more than 250 appearances and developed a reputation as one of their most prolific and industrious players.
Newly-installed head coach and former veteran player, Cam Critchlow, said of the latest recruit: “Brandon is a dynamic forward who brings a great work ethic and a solid two-way game.
“He’s proven he can produce offensively at the professional level and will be a key part of our forward group this season. He’s hungry to win and will fit right into the culture we’re building here in Manchester.”
📝 A PROVEN GOAL-SCORER
25-year-old Canadian winger Brandon Cutler arrives from EC Kassel Huskies (DEL2), as he looks to extend his stay on the European circuit. In 40 DEL2 appearances, Cutler recorded 25 points (11G, 14A) in his debut season outside North America.
— Manchester Storm | #TakeShelter (@Mcr_Storm) August 5, 2025
Cutler follows the announcement of fellow new signings Brad Jenion, along with Storm academy graduates Tyler de la Bertouche and Jace Gledhill, who recently arrived in Altrincham from Chester’s Deeside Dragons.
This also comes after another announcement detailing a treble of two-way deals, which will see Noah Kääriäinen, Josh Crawley, and elite development squad product Theo Malone spend time with fellow affiliated partners Hull Seahawks as part of their ongoing collaboration.
Already a Manc ice hockey legend, Critchlow confirmed his retirement (again) back in March, but was quickly unveiled as the new Storm boss just a couple of months later.
Safe to say there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2025/26 season inside the Storm Shelter.
Critchlow will be watching from the sidelines at Planet Ice this year.
Danny Jones -
17th July 2025 
