Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Man United’s Marcus Rashford have taken home the 2022/23 men’s Player of the Year awards at the most recent PFA Awards on Tuesday night, as Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side once again dominated the Team of the Year.
This year’s Professional Footballers’ Association Awards saw the ceremony return to Manchester for the first time since 2020 and on a significant milestone, as it marked the 50th year since the event started.
Instead of being held in London as it is traditionally, the 22/23 season’s PFA Awards took place at the Lowry Theatre over in Media City, as dozens of football stars rocked up to Salford Quays to celebrate last year’s impressive campaigns.
When it came to the Players’ Player of the Year, there was only ever going to be one person’s name on the trophy and he can add it all the other accolades he won during his record-breaking season: Erling Haaland. 36 league goals and eight assists alone in 35 games — all in his first year. Insane.
Haaland and City cleaned up at this year’s PFA Awards do.
When it came to the PFA’s Team of the Year, the Norwegian was accompanied by four other Man City teammates, as Ruben Dias, John Stones, Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri were all included in the 22/23 TOTY selection, making up nearly half of the entire 11. I mean, they did win the treble.
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It was a similar success for the WSL Team of the Year as well, with Lionesses defender Alex Greenwood included for the third time in a row, midfielder Yui Hasegawa making her first appearance on the list and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw joining them after her impressive season of 20 goals and seven assists.
Manchester United managed three of their own in the 22/23 WSL TOTY too, with England hero Mary Earps never in doubt along with her rock-solid defensive partnership, Ona Batlle and Maya Le Tissier.
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Speaking of the red half of Manchester, Old Trafford saw one more award come its way as Marcus Rashford managed to earn the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year Award following his best-ever statistical season.
As you can see, it turned out to be a great night for the Mancs and the fact they simply had to go down the road to receive their recognition was a nice bonus.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka won the Young Player of the Year Award, with Lauren James winning the equivalent in the WSL awards, while fellow Lioness and Aston Villa star Rachel Daly won the Women’s Player of the Year.
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You can see the full list of winners and nominees HERE.
We dare say you’ll see a fair few of the same names on the list again this time next year.
Featured Image — PFA/Khadija Bunny Shaw/Marcus Rashford (via Instagram)
Sport
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 -
30th August 2023 
