Following their amazing title win and promotion to the North West Counties Premier League this past weekend, Wythenshawe Amateurs FC have announced that Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord is set to become the club’s new Chair.
The Ammies secured the NWCFL First Division South Title on Saturday, 15th April, with a 4-0 win over Foley Meir, earning automatic promotion to the NWC Premier Division League.
As part of the celebrations of the club moving onwards and upwards, it was confirmed that Lord — co-founder of Parklife and now the world’s favourite nightclub, The Warehouse Project — is soon to replace Carl Barratt when he steps down to vice-chair in the coming weeks.
Having been born in Wythenshawe and remained a long-time supporter of grass-roots football, the Night Time Economy Adviser said when the chance to take over arose it was simply an opportunity he “couldn’t turn down, especially in such an exciting time for the club”.
GM Night-time Economy Adviser, Sacha Lord, to become new Chair of Wythenshawe Amateurs Football Club as it is promoted to the NW Counties Premier League
— Wythenshawe Football Club (@WythenshaweFC) April 20, 2023
Speaking following the announcement, Sacha said: “I have been aware of ‘The Ammies‘ for some years now after many friends watched the team during the COVID-19 pandemic from the hill in Hollyhedge Park when games were being held behind closed doors.
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“Over the last few months, I’ve attended quite a few games and when the opportunity arose to take over the reins this was something I couldn’t turn down, especially in such an exciting time for the club, following promotion.
“I am looking forward to helping to lead the next part of the journey at Wythenshawe. The Club has so much potential, along with the board, have plans to grow attendance and improve the overall experience for fans and visitors, making this a thriving ground with a hugely diverse fanbase.”
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As you’d expect, the scenes in the changing rooms after their emphatic promotion win were delightful and with Sacha’s WHP team providing hospitality as well as food and drink vouchers for Saturday’s game against Pilkington FC, it’s set to be a great atmosphere.
— Wythenshawe Football Club (@WythenshaweFC) April 15, 2023
Current Chair, Carl Barratt, said: “The board and I are incredibly excited to take the club forward with Sacha at the helm. We are proud of what we have achieved since opening our new home at Hollyhedge Park and are delighted that Sacha has identified the true potential of our community-owned club.”
“Sacha also will be joining us following the recent news that we have had approval by the FA, Lancashire County FA and all 14 leagues to remove the word ‘Amateurs’ from our name to reflect the progress the Club has made, and we will shortly commence rebranding across all our platforms.
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“Wythenshawe means the world to me, and I cannot stress enough my enthusiasm and support for Sacha and his plans. He has a superb track record of building destination venues with passionate and active communities and I know that we are in very capable hands when I hand over the baton in the coming weeks.”
As mentioned, Carl will remain as vice-chair and continue to head up the junior ranks as the club revels in “a solid moment in [its] history”, now playing at the highest level they’ve ever been at and continuing their legacy of never being relegated in the 77 years since it was founded.
Speaking of the club’s board and the Ammies’ heroics, in general, their 4-0 win felt like a fitting reward following their impressive charitable efforts over the weekend.
Spread over two days, current vice-chair Martin Howe and a number of other volunteers embarked on a massive 35-mile walk to raise money for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, raising over £1,500 for cancer research and treatment.
Bolton’s bid for the Ryder Cup has received a big boost
Danny Jones
Bolton’s much-anticipated bid for the Ryder Cup has received an added boost of positivity and optimism, which could prove key in bringing the competition to the town.
It also starts with an improvement to local infrastructure, which it appears that the borough will benefit from, regardless of whether or not they win the bid.
Talk of Bolton throwing their hat in the ring to hopefully host the Ryder Cup first began rumbling around during the pandemic, before ramping up even further in 2023, and is now gathering a little more speed.
And a lot of it could come down to upgraded travel links in the form of an even longer-rumoured new road connecting the M61-M6 junctions, which would need to be completed in time for the tournament – along with a fresh big golf course, too.
A bid is being prepared for Bolton to host the Ryder Cup in 2035. Previously, there was an option to hold it in 2031. The golf course would be built on the Hulton Park estate near Westhoughton. This is what the ancient parkland looks like now ..https://t.co/Bie8ikyEkppic.twitter.com/Y3Dq8MFfLk
While the plans to transform the land around Hulton Park have been in the pipeline for some time, the case for creating easier routes between Bolton, Wigan and the surrounding area was pitched as far back as the post-WWII period.
As for the Ryder Cup itself, it hasn’t been hosted in England for decades; the last time an associated event was held was in 2002 at Warwickshire, and it goes without saying that it would be a huge win not just for Greater Manchester but the North in general.
In fact, the wider masterplan that makes up part of the bid doesn’t just include the new £70 million link road, but also feeds into GM’s overall Good Growth Fund, which looks set to almost double thanks to more investment in the National Wealth Fund.
Put simply, the sum of around £2bn set aside for grants and funding across the country – including Bolton’s 2035 Ryder Cup bid – could see huge revenues brought in.
Regarding Bolton, were they to clinch from competitors like the London Golf Club in Sevenoaks, over in Kent and Luton Hoo Hotel and Spa in Bedfordshire, it’s estimated that it could generate more than £1.2bn for the local economy.
Besides a new premium golfing venue, the M61-M6 link road and the recently announced Metrolink expansion into Bolton, the regional funding allocation already factors in various bits of future property development, including more housing and subsequent job creation.
Put simply, it could be transformational for Bolton and beyond. However, it still requires them to win the bid on the basis of the GMCA, Bolton Council, developers, and other partners delivering everything promised, not to mention on time for the biennial Ryder Cup slot up for grabs.
Despite initial rejection and still plenty of pushback, Peel Land are promising three things for the land: “Restoration. Sustainability. World-class golf.”
Mayor Andy Burnham has insisted it is an opportunity not only to improve life, leisure and business in the old Lancashire stronghold, but “as well as the new jobs and tourist spend the Ryder Cup would deliver, there’s also a chance to deliver a lasting legacy.”
What do you make of the grand vision thus far, and for Boltonians, is this something you’re fully behind? Speaking of big sporting events, another one is coming up in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures/CGIs (via Peel Land)
Sport
The 2026 World Breaking Finals of the UK B-Boy Championships are coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: the UK B-Boy Championships are returning to Manchester this year for the 2026 World Breaking Finals, in what is a special anniversary for the annual tournament.
Celebrating three decades since the inaugural event this summer, the UK B-Boy Champs will once again remind fans why they still remain among the gold standard for competitive breakdancing.
With elite breakers and dance battlers from more than 20 different countries in attendance – and plenty of contestants from each, at that – it’s going to be a real global showcase of talent.
Returning to Manchester once again, we can’t wait to see breakdancing take over the Factory International concourse and wider campus.
Anyone in the world will know that the city also hosted another big European equivalent back in 2022 on behalf of the 2022 World DanceSport Federation, but the UK B-Boy Championships have a passionate following of their own.
This also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the event, so it’s a momentous occasion on many levels.
With live music from not only classic artists and legendary MCs, but artists for the future too, there’ll be plenty of tunes and impressive moves from start to finish.
Coming to Aviva Studios this summer, they’ve billed it quite short and sweet: “The sickest breakers on the planet will battle in a once-in-a-generation celebration of Hip-Hop culture.”
They’re promising “High-stakes rivalries. Gravity-defying moves”, and “Unforgettable performances”, adding, “This isn’t just another battle – this is the Champs legacy in motion.”
Credit: Supplied
The World Breaking Finals get underway in Manchester on 16 August at Aviva Studios, and it’s all set up to be arguably the biggest yet.
General admission went on sale this past Friday, 13 March, with adult tickets starting from only £20 and kids from just a tenner.
As we mentioned before, this isn’t the only big sporting date coming to Manchester this year, with the likes of the British basketball’s annual Cup Finals concluding at AO Arena and another big Super League set to for a grandstand finish at our other big indoor entertainment venue…
Danny Jones -
20th April 2023 
