A huge new bus network initiative is set to be trialled over the coming weeks as Transport for Greater Manchester is hoping to help Man City fans get to the Etihad Stadium.
With the Etihad Campus located along the busy Ashton-Eccles Metrolink line, tram services to and from Man City’s home ground can get extremely busy and other forms of public transport in and out of the city are regularly populated by other everyday commuters and so on.
That being said, as part of Greater Manchester’s ever-expanding Bee Network, TfGM is now set to introduce as many as 17 new dedicated bus routes around the region from this month onwards, with bus services and park-and-ride facilities stretching across the boroughs and leading to the Etihad.
The newly proposed network covers 60 stops and will cover a combined total of more than 340 miles, with the first of the new bus services set to launch on Saturday, 17 February ahead of City‘s home match against Chelsea.
Credit: The Manc
As per a statement by TfGM, the new bus routes to the Etihad are said to have been carefully selected following a detailed analysis of fan data which identified areas with limited existing travel options, or those with a dense population of Season Ticket Members.
Tickets in Zone 1 will be priced at £6 for a return and those in Zone 2 will cost £8. These zones have been decided in line with the existing Metrolink zoning system and must be purchased on the day when boarding the bus.
Not unlike existing coaches organised by football supporters groups around Greater Manchester and beyond, one bus will operate per route and there will be space for an average of 80 fans per bus, dishing out seats on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The new additions are also not expected to disrupt existing routes. You can see more detailed information about the stops HERE but TfGM has also published a helpful map outlining the new network:
Stretching as far as Macclesfield, New Mills, Haughton Green, Radcliffe, Flixton, Hale and many towns across the 10 boroughs, the 17 new City buses should help countless more Blues make their way to the game without having to use their own cars, source parking or add to congestion on established routes.
By connecting fans across the region through a direct and reliable mode of travel, the newly proposed bus network will create a low-priced option for fans, making travelling to matches more efficient and increasingly sustainable.
Commenting on the introduction of the bus network, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, Danny Wilson, said: “We want all our fans to have an amazing experience when they come to the Etihad Stadium, and we know that travelling to and from a match can play a key part in achieving this.
“The introduction of this trial follows a detailed analysis of fan travel arrangements which has helped us to identify areas with limited travel options, and develop a bespoke, large-scale operation tailored to our fans.” Fingers crossed the trial goes successfully and the scheme is fully greenlit.
Mayor Andy Burham added: “This is an exciting trial that will give Manchester City FC fans another option for getting to and from matches at the Etihad in an affordable, convenient, safe and sustainable way.
“This month we have already introduced a new six-minute Metrolink service between the city centre and Etihad Campus – and this new partnership between TfGM and Manchester City Football Club demonstrates a wider vision for helping people travel to one of the city’s most iconic sporting venues.”
Oldham Athletic sign manager Micky Mellon’s son, Michael, on loan for the season
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC have signed boss Micky Mellon’s son, Michael Mellon, on loan just in time for deadline day.
The legendary Scottish manager has been with Oldham since October 2023 (the first Greater Manchester club on his impressive pyramid-spanning CV), and helped them return to the football league after 34 years.
He’s already a bit of an EFL legend, boasting a staggering nine promotions with seven different teams, so there are few decisions he could make that would displease most supporters, even if there may or may not be a slight whiff of nepotism in the eyes of some.
Once again, the majority couldn’t care less, especially in a sport where the romantics amongst us imagine even the slightest hint of talent dripping down the bloodline; either way, fan favourite Micky’s son, Michael, has joined the Latics on loan for 2025/26.
Officially announced on Monday, 1 September, with just hours left of deadline day, 21-year-old Michael Mellon joins Oldham Athletic on a temporary deal as the Greater Manchester side looks to inject more goals into their recently promoted squad.
Confirmed as the 14th signing so far this summer – many of those coming in the form of free agents picked up on their way out of the National League – the young centre-forward began his career as part of the Manchester United academy.
Going on to join Burnley at 16, Mellon has gone on to be considered one of the brightest prospects among the Clarets’ academy, and will be hoping to get more even minutes this term.
They also teased his signing in one of the most silly but satisfying transfer reveal videos we’ve seen during this transfer window.
Mellon Jr has enjoyed loan spells at Morecambe, Dundee United, fellow local outfit Stockport County and Bradford City since joining his parent club back in 2019 – having spent the most time with the Shrimps, where he scored his first professional hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Wimbledon in 23/24.
Scoring 15 times in 27 appearances for them, he was recalled by Burnley back in January 2024, but is now set to be given the nod in his father’s senior team. Commenting on Oldham signing his son, Micky Mellon’s reponse was this: “We believe we’ve brought in a striker who is different to the ones we’ve got.
“Michael has always been a goalscorer – yes, he’s my son, but we’ve brought him in to help us win games of football and that’s the sole reason. He’s physical, technically very good and has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s had a bit of a tough time with injury lately, but he looks like he’s grown through that, and we can get the best version of Michael. He had a lot of interest, but he believes Oldham [Athletic] is the best place for him to play his football this season.
“He’s seen what Boundary Park is like when it’s full and roaring, the decision has been his to make, and he’s picked Oldham.” Excited by this one, Owls?
🗣️ Michael always knew where he wanted to play his football this season. #oafc
Featured Images — Oldham Athletic via X/TNT Sports Football (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester United reach ‘total agreement’ for new signing amid ongoing goalkeeping drama
Danny Jones
Manchester United are said to have reached a complete agreement for the transfer of goalkeeper Senne Lammens, as their trouble in the crucial position continues.
The Belgian shot-stopper, who currently plays for Royal Antwerp FC, emerged as a target a few weeks ago after yet more errors in between the sticks for Man United.
In addition to André Onana having developed a reputation for making mistakes in net for the Red Devils, rotation keeper, Altay Bayındır, has also recorded errors of his own, including gifting Burnley their equaliser this past weekend (Saturday, 30 September).
Although the club are said to have been working on a deal for some time, it now looks as though the pair could soon play second fiddle to a new number one in Lammens, who is set to sign a five-year deal with United imminently.
Still just 23, not only does he fit the younger age profile of the players that both Ruben Amorim and Man United’s recruitment department are looking to bed in, but he’s already thrown up some impressive stats in his career thus far.
The former Club Brugge youth only made his Royal Antwerp debut back in November 2023, but went on to win the Belgian Super Cup as part of the side and has now made a total of 64 appearances.
United were also being linked with a more experienced and Premier League-proven alternative in Emi Martinez; however, the move was reportedly abandoned after Aston Villa were unwilling to sign their inbound new MUFC loanee, Jadon Sancho, on a permanent and potential swap deal.
Many are arguing it could also be some fancy footwork and transfer posturing from INEOS.
For anyone wondering why they went after him, some will say the numbers speak for themselves.
Others will point out that there is a gulf in quality between the Belgian first division and the Premier League.
Man United are said to be paying Antwerp a fee of roughly £18.2 million plus add-ons for Lammens’ services, with summer signing number five having already been pictured boarding a private jet in Belgium ahead of his flight to Manchester.
It is thought that Amorim could hold on to both Onana and Altay as part of his wider squad, with some room for rotation still alive as his team are still in the FA Cup, especially given that it remains to be seen how Lammens will take to life in English football.
Some fans have even been calling for back-up Tom Heaton to be brought into the starting lineup for now after looking like a safe pair of hands on this year’s pre-season tour. Regardless, Lammens’ arrival will surely see at least one set of gloves leaving Old Trafford if not in this window, then come January.
Reds will be both glad and somewhat concerned to hear that academy product Kobbie Mainoo asked to leave on loan before deadline day after questions over his playing time.
Danny Jones -
9th February 2024 
