Sport

Salford City thank ‘outstanding leader’ Karen Baird as she steps down as Chair after 10 years

The club simply wouldn't be where it is without her.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th May 2023

After watching the Greater Manchester club gradually climb the ranks of English football, as well as playing a key role in the 2014 takeover and day-to-day operations ever since, Salford City Chair Karen Baird is leaving the club after more than a decade of service.

For 10 years Baird has played an integral role in bringing stability to the club, securing four consecutive promotions and getting them back into the EFL in 2019, all whilst running her own business which she is now set to leave Salford for to focus on solely.

Writing in a heartfelt statement, the club said: “It is with great sadness but huge gratitude that we see Karen stepping down as Chairman of Salford City Football Club at the end of the season.

“Karen has worked tirelessly for over 10 years whilst also running her own business, Champion. She has been incredible and her passion, dedication, loyalty and love for Salford City could be seen in everything she did; it was never just a job.

Salford are yet to announce who will be taking over as Chair.

They also went on to acknowledge that “her role became increasingly demanding but her ability to adapt swiftly to the changes was outstanding”, adding that they “cannot thank Karen enough for all her hard work, and wish her the very best in the future.”

They described her time at the club as nothing short of over “a decade of progress and commitment”. Speaking in an equally emotional goodbye of her own, Karen said that “after an amazing 10 years… it feels the right time for me to step down.

“Since 2013, when I took the reins as Chairman, we have had an unbelievable journey starting with the takeover in 2014 by the Class of ’92, when we were in tier four of non-league, to the quick succession of three promotions in four years with Bernard and Jonno at the helm. The dream of an FA Cup run in 2015-16 was so exciting, and is probably still my favourite memory!…

“I would like to thank all the fans, committee, owners, football and non-football staff, managers, and all the players who have helped our journey over the last 10 years, and my biggest thanks goes to Gary [Neville] who believed in me to undertake this journey with him.”

Karen Baird’s full statement as she steps down as Chair of Salford City FC.

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As for the Class of ’92 themselves — Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Phil Neville and recently installed CEO, Nicky Butt, who replaced Gary Neville after he stepped down back in November — they were full of gratitude and recognition for their long-term partner.

“Karen has been an inspiring figure at the Club for many years and an outstanding leader both on the football and business side, and we really could not have done it without her.

“She worked committedly for the Club and in the early years, much of that was voluntary, highlighting just how much the Club meant to her. We would all like to thank her for her dedication and wish her all the best in everything she chooses to do.”

Salford might have just missed out on promotion into League One following their tense playoff defeat to Stockport County last weekend, but they are still miles ahead of where they were 10 years ago and have all the tools needed to keep building — none of which would have been possible without Karen Baird.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Salford City

Sport

Manchester sandwich specialists Bada Bing strike up new sponsorship deal with local football team

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bada Bing now sponsoring FC United of Manchester

Beloved city centre sandwich shop Bada Bing has struck up a somewhat unexpected but exciting new partnership with local football team, FC United of Manchester, who are now sponsored by the sub specialists.

We can’t think of any better matchday scran than a massive butty, to be fair.

Confirming that they will be sponsoring FC United for the 2025/26 season, Bada Bing is taking its first foray into football, with their branding already up on the advertising boards around the ground.

While they’re yet to confirm any more specific details apart from that they’re joining forces with the Moston-based outfit, supporters are already licking their lips at the mere thought of their famous hoagies coming to Broadhurst Park stadium.

Having plenty of fun with the announcement online with a classic Sopranos reference (why break the habit of a lifetime?), Sam and Josh – both big footy fans, themselves – stood proudly beside the hoardings this week.

Although we still know very little about what FC United fans can expect from the latest Manc brand marriage, we’d bet on the odd game-defining hero appearing both on the pitch and in the hands of ‘Red Rebels’ stood watching and, hopefully, eating just beside it.

Of course, this is by no means the only noteworthy crossover Bada Bing has enjoyed since reopening last year; their viral merch is famously made by Stretford-based fashion label, UN:IK Clothing.

In fact, it isn’t even their sole step in sports, either. Regularly teaming up with outdoor content creator and trail runner, Sam Matthew – a.k.a. Peaks and Pubs – they’ve already held charity relays, pop-up events with New Balance, and we’re sure there is more to come with the Northern Premier League side.

They are, after all, the king of collabs and tapping into local, contemporary culture in the area just at the right moment.

It was only last month that we saw them working with Thatziki to create a Greek butty fit for the gods, and they’ve most recently teamed up with Indian street food favourites, Bundobust, too.

Commenting underneath the social media post, FC United simply replied: “Thanks for your support! Great to have you on board!”

Once again, please just give a hint—ANY kind of sign that Bada Bing menu items are coming to Lightbowne Road, because if so, Greater Manchester’s ‘Footy Scran‘ game is about to level up big time.

As for FC games, they’re still some of the most affordable in the region, and you don’t need to be a disillusioned Man United fan to get invested in the now 20-year-old phoenix club.

Go support a local grassroots team if you can, and fingers crossed, you can grab a Bing while you’re at it.

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Featured Images — Bada Bing (via Instagram)/The Manc Group

Sport

Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Laces playing in Women's FA Cup for the first-time ever

Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground as they prepare to compete in the Adobe FA Women’s Cup for the first time ever.

What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.

Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.

Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.

In fact, as part of a wider family (which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too), they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.

Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.

It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.

Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…

Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.

Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.

With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.

Posting ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.

Speaking to The Manc, they went on to add: ” A group of mates came together at a park in Wythenshawe for a kick about, feeling a little out of place at other clubs; ‘we should make our own team‘ was thrown out as a somewhat joke.

“A month later, a friendly was played where nine people turned up to start the game, somebody’s girlfriend who’d never kicked a ball played left wing, and a hungover mate turned up after half time to get us to 11 (somehow we won the game).

“Four years later – after becoming one of the largest LGBTQ+ clubs in the country, housing 8 teams – our Yellow side, after back-to-back promotions, will be competing in the FA cup for the very first time.

“We’re so proud as a club to be competing in such a historic competition, as a club that set up to focus on being inclusive and a safe space for people to play football, to achieve what we have is beyond what we could have ever imagined.”

Manchester Laces: the non-binary football club leading the charge on inclusivity in sport
Tickets for Manchester Laces’ debut FA Cup game are just £2 and can be purchased on entry

They signed off by quipping that their story is one that serves as “proof that you can, in fact, fall upwards”, but in all seriousness, what they’ve achieved in such a short time is nothing short of remarkable.

Playing at Ericstan Park, now both the home of Wythenshawe Town FC and the Yellows’ own new home ground too, they kick off at 2pm on Sunday, 7 September. It goes without saying that we wish them the best of luck.

Nothing like the magic of the cup, eh?

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Featured Images — Wythenshawe Town FC/Manchester Laces (via Instagram/Facebook)

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