Sport

Sacha Lord to become Chair of Wythenshawe Amateurs following promotion to North West Counties Premier League

A huge step forward for The Ammies.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 20th April 2023

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”.

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

“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.

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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.

The Ammies are a class act.

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Featured Image — Wythenshawe Amateurs

Sport

Relaunch date revealed for majorly revamped Altrincham Leisure Centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones Move Altrincham Leisure Centre reopening date confirmed

The opening date for the relaunch of Altrincham Leisure Centre, which recently underwent a serious revamp, has officially been announced.

Yes, Alty Leisure Centre – or rather, ‘move Altrincham’, as it will be known moving forward – is finally set to reopen in full following a significant rebrand and redevelopment.

Works on the local Trafford leisure centre and community hub actually first began way back in January 2023, but now, over two and a half years on from its closure for refurbishment, it’s just weeks away from being reopened to the public.

Now officially relaunching on 26 August, move Altrincham comes three years on from the opening of a fellow fitness facility in the borough, with move Urmston debuting in 2022.

Much like how the pandemic delayed the unveiling of their counterparts, it’s taken quite a while to complete the Altrincham Leisure Centre (ATC) overhaul.

The Urmston venue saw over £7 million pumped into resurrecting the old 1980s building back but in the case of ATC, more than £20m has been invested into this latest project overall.

Featuring a new, bigger and better fitness suite, state-of-the-art swimming pools, ‘The Cove Spa’ post-workout recovery and wellness assessment room; a brand-new purpose-built gymnastics hub, an expanded sports hall, as well as lots more, the place is set to be virtually unrecognisable.

As well as a rejigged changing room set-up, catering to men, women, groups and crucially inclusive, there’ll also be an enticing new cafe, featuring a resident in-house bakery from native artisans, MOST.

They really have put everything you could hope for into this major regeneration.

Local authorities have already dubbed this move Altrincham the “most sustainable sports facility” in the region, ahead of its opening later this month.

Sure to be a busy Alty outlet, Trafford Council has also confirmed that the building will use huge air source heat pumps and solar panels, saving upwards of 400 tonnes of carbon per year, with the remaining electricity imported off the grid pulled from a 100% green, renewable supply.

“More than 8,000 tonnes of carbon will be saved over the lifecycle of the pumps and panels, addressing the Council’s priority of addressing the climate crisis and becoming Carbon Neutral by 2038″, they go on to add.

Fixtures like this have been funded with support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the UK government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with over £2m of funding secured to bring the scheme to life.

Even the ‘purer’ pools will cost less money and water to run, not to mention the bonus of safe storage for bikes, nearby travel links to the Bee Network and EV charging points in the car park.

A long time coming.
Credit: move Altrincham

Speaking on the impending opening date, Cllr Aidan Williams – Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change – beckoned the reborn leisure centre as a shining example of the borough’s commitment to crucial environmental change.

“move Altrincham is a great example of how we’re setting new standards in Trafford that will help the Council achieve its zero carbon goals and send a powerful message to our communities that we treat climate change seriously and are working hard to create a greener, cleaner future,” says Williams.

Once again, the new and improved Alty Leisure Centre opens its doors on Tuesday, 26 August, and we can’t wait to see what the neighbours make of it.

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Featured Images — move Altrincham (via Facebook/Press Shots)

Sport

Manchester Storm confirm club veteran will serve in a ‘player-coach’ role this season

Danny Jones Danny Jones Dallas Ehrhardt serving as player-coach for Manchester Storm 25/26 season

Ice hockey team Manchester Storm have confirmed that a long-standing club servant will return in a dual player-coach role for the new season.

Unveiling the news on Monday, 11 August, Manchester Storm commented, “Was it ever in doubt?”, as they announced that fan favourite Dallas Ehrhardt is back at the ice shelter only with an adjusted sphere of responsibilities for 2025/26.

Approaching nearly a full decade here on the European circuit, this upcoming campaign marks Ehrhardt’s ninth Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season, representing both Manchester Storm and Great Britain over his many years spent across the pond.

Having already operated as a highly experienced and valuable figure in the dressing room for some time, his focus will now switch primarily to coaching, but he will still be eligible to pull on a jersey when needed.

Writing in an official statement on the club website, the Storm said: “Veteran defenceman Dallas Ehrhardt returns for his ninth full EIHL season. Despite stepping back from a full-time playing role to focus on coaching, he will remain on the active roster and be available when required.

“Ehrhardt holds the franchise record for league appearances (420) and leads the club’s all-time points, goals, and assists charts for a defenceman with 207 points (70G, 137A).

“Since joining the Storm in 2016, he has featured in over 90% of all league games and has earned 20 international caps for Great Britain.”

The 33-year-old will also be joined by assistant and junior development coach, Mike Morin, who is remaining in his post, helping the senior team whilst also helping support the growth of local and academy players.

In terms of playing personnel, Manchester Storm have been doing plenty of recruitment at the same time, announcing multiple new signings for 25/26.

All three of these backroom figures have represented Storm for multiple decades between them, so they know the place inside out.

Fellow club veteran and now former player turned head coach, Cam Critchlow, said of the appointment: “Dallas and Mike both have a deep understanding of the game and of this club.”

“Dallas’s experience and leadership will be vital behind the bench, and Mike’s commitment to developing players speaks for itself. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them both.”

While Ehrhardt’s on-ice experience will no doubt be called upon throughout the season, it’s good to see plenty of new and exciting faces being brought into the Storm Shelter – case in point:

Manchester Storm announce signing of ‘proven goalscorer’ Brandon Cutler ahead of new season

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Featured Images — Dean Rose/All Sports Photography (via Manchester Storm)

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