Local leaders in Greater Manchesterand Liverpool have declared that the fans’ fight for football is “far from over” despite the collapse of the European Super League – announcing a new ‘Reclaim Our Game’ campaignto fix a “broken” modern game.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Centre Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram have banded together for a joint project in light of the Super League fiasco – stating that now is the time for “real reform of football so fans have a proper say in how their clubs are run.”
The Northern leaders added: “The failed proposals for the European Super League have shown that modern football is broken. Now is the time to fix it.”
The new campaign is calling on the government to legislate to require all English clubs to secure a 51% majority of their registered season ticket holders on any major decision that affects the club; adopting a model similar to the one seen in German football where fans retain majority control.
Additionally, the campaign asks for an independent financial regulator for all pro leagues and clubs.
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The Mayors also state that “legislation should require vendors to make shares available on a first refusal basis to recognised, democratically-controlled supporters’ trusts.”
Lastly, the campaign calls on Uefa to “rethink proposals for Champions League reform.”
All six English clubs – including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool – pulled out of the widely-criticised breakaway European Super League on Tuesday (April 20) evening.
The news was met with jubilation from fans, players, MPs, and major football organisations.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said it was time to “move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together.”
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But local leaders in Manchester and Liverpool suggested the fight was only just beginning.
Rotheram emphasised that “we can’t let this happen again”, whilst Burnham claimed that a cross-party campaign was required to “reclaim the game for supporters, with independent regulation of ownership and finances.”
Manchester United said it had “listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders” when making its decision to withdraw from the Super League.
Man Utd’s Vice President Ed Woodward, who was involved in discussions for the league, also announced he would resign from his role at the end of the season.
The owner of Liverpool, John W Henry, has since apologised to fans, saying “I heard you… I alone am responsible”.
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Meanwhile, the Super League said it would take “appropriate steps to reshape the project”.
A statement read: “Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Sport
Nathan Aspinall urges PDPA to improve mental health support within the sport
Danny Jones
Local sports personality Nathan Aspinall has urged the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA) to provide better mental health support moving forward.
It’s not the first time ‘The Asp’ has called for more awareness and provision when it comes to player welfare and mental wellbeing, specifically, which remains a prevailing societal problem in general.
The Greater Manchester native has opened up about his own struggles many times in the past and has made a public plea for the PDPA to intervene and offer more help.
Speaking at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships after his opening round victory, the 34-year-old instead chose to focus on more important issues than his strong start.
As you can see, Aspinall began by stating that “the PDPA now need to step in and help these guys because there’s a lot of guys suffering.”
Having long been an champion for male mental health, in particular – supporting the local Healthy Minds practices in his hometown of Stockport, for instance – he’s been one of the outspoken player on the subject for some time.
Noting that there are at least “two or three people” he refused to name, his message was simple: “There’s a lot of fantastic dart players in our sport, but it’ll be a shame to see so many of them go because of mental health”
The 2019 UK Open and 2023 World Matchplay winner has battled with multiple obstacles, including an ocular condition known as bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome, as well bursitis, which causes inflammation around key joints.
But it’s not necessarly injuries and the physical side of things that have been his biggest concern.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗨𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
"I really do not care anymore.
"I do everything I can to be a good sportsman and you still get s**t. So you know what? I don't care. Say what you want." pic.twitter.com/mCBjQ6kvyj
One of the biggest and most recurring challenges for him has been ‘dartitis’, which many players within the discipline wrestle with the more their careers progress.
Aspinall has confessed to suffering almost chronic panic attacks due to the mental blocks (also commonly known as ‘the yips’) brought about by the intense pressure of playing on stage/live on TV.
With that in mind, it’s great to see him not only back on form and pulling impressive performance such as his ‘big fish’ finish on Friday night, but continuing to draw more attention to the underlying mental health crisis, especially among men. Well played, Nath.
You can watch his post-match interview in full down below.
Featured Images — Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)/Live Darts (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
The Manc -
21st April 2021 
