Sport

Stockport County greenlit for brand new ‘County Courtyard’ fan zone

As the home of the Hatters continues to redevelop, the council has given the go ahead for a new dedicated fan zone.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th November 2022

Stockport Council has greenlit Stockport County for a brand new fan zone as part of their redevelopment plans for Edgeley Park.

The council-approved plans were confirmed on Monday, 28 November, detailing the exciting new fan zone which aims to ease congestion around the stadium and surrounding areas in Edgeley as match attendance numbers continue to go from strength to strength.

County currently sit 14th in League Two after having returned football league this year following an 11-year-stint outside the EFL by lifting the National League trophy last season.

As a result, matchday ticket sales have been on the rise in the Greater Manchester borough, as have the number of away fans who travel to the games, meaning expansion only makes sense.

Now, the Hatters’ dedicated new fan zone, dubbed the ‘County Courtyard’, will be able to cater for up to 1,500 fans thanks to three shipping containers and a large stretch tent providing cover to shelter supporters from the Northern weather.

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As per the announcement, the club also say they’ll be providing additional seating for fans to enjoy pre-match some grub and pints along and one of the containers will house additional accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities.

Dishing up a host of fan favourites’ including craft beers, award-winning pies from the Great North Pie Co., as well as various street food from around the world, the new food court will create the perfect place to take in the pre and post-match atmosphere whilst reducing footfall around the ground at peak times.

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Furthermore, the County Courtyard is projected to create at least 20 new jobs alone, with a host of vacancies available including bar staff, stewards and chefs. Who knows how many jobs the stadium redevelopment as a whole will generate?

Stockport County reveal plans to ‘expand and improve’ Edgeley Park

The council has given the thumbs up to start work on the fan zone immediately, with the end product expected to be complete before the end of the year. You love to see it.

The club is urging anyone with interest in the various roles to apply via email ([email protected]).

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CEO Jonathan Vaughan said: “We’re delighted Stockport Council has approved plans for the County Fan Zone, we know that creating a fantastic matchday experience goes beyond what happens on the pitch and we need to do everything we can to welcome fans into Edgeley Park and keep them coming back.

“This planning approval allows further investment into the ground which not only adds to the fan experience but brings new jobs and helps drive Stockport County’s progress on the pitch.”

Work on the rest of the Hatters’ home starts next summer with the expansion of the Railway End.

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

Featured Image — Stockport County

Sport

Tom Aspinall is now the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Greater Manchester’s very own UFC icon, Tom Aspinall, has been officially named the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Even more miraculously, he did so without even having to face an official title fight against the previous reigning champ.

With the news that legendary mixed martial artist and UFC veteran Jon Jones has decided to finally retire after more than a decade and a half in the sport, Tom Aspinall has now seen his interim heavyweight status upgraded to a full, undisputed world champion.

CEO and President of the league, Dana White, confirmed the decision this Sunday, 22 June, not long after Jon Jones announced his retirement on social media.

The moment Aspinall was named an undisputed UFC champion. You can literally hear the shock in the room when he delivers the update.

After 32-year-old Aspinall famously said, “I’ll retire Jon Jones without even fighting him” back in August 2024, it looks like the famed Salford-born fighter knew exactly how this story would play out.

Despite having long been admired as a pioneer of the sport and one of the personalities who helped put it on the map, Jones has also been heavily criticised for avoiding the Atherton-based athlete in recent years, having even been set a deadline by White to defend his title.

It got to suck a point that the local lad from Wigan even held up a rubber duck to the camera as he poked fun at Jones to millions watching worldwide while sat ringside at UFC London earlier this year.

Seeing Aspinall’s supremacy grow stronger in recent years, it was the fight every fan wanted to see; however, with Jones revealing his somewhat snap decision this week, it looks like they’ll just have to settle for him taking the crown by default.

The result of him hanging up his four-ounce gloves also means that there are now no American male champions in the UFC across all four active divisions for the first time since 2004.

As for Jones, 37, while it hasn’t come as a total shock to everyone given his hiatus (his last fight coming in November 2024 against Stipe Miocic), there were plenty who hoped they would one day see him come against the Manc MMA star.

Informing the fight world of his withdrawal in a lengthy statement on X, he said: “This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.

“From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever.

“I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.” He went on to thank Dana White, his family, coaches and several others for his career thus far.

He also went on to add: “To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage. As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead.

“MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.”

Between Aspinall’s dominance at the top of the heavy class and Liverpool’s Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett continuing to make waves in the lightweight division, it looks like the time of not just the UK but the North West might be beckoning.

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Featured Images — TNT Sports/Tom Aspinall/DeepCutwithVicBlends (screenshots via YouTube)

Sport

Every bit of live entertainment coming to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer | The Jockey Club Live 2025

Danny Jones Danny Jones what live music gigs are on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer? 2025

With festival season officially underway and a music-filled summer approaching faster than Stone Folca down the final furlong, we’ll take any chance to sing and dance under the sun we can get, so it’s a good job that what’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this year is great and there’s plenty of it.

That’s right, The Jockey Club Live experience at Haydock Park is back for 2025, and there’s another incredible lineup of acts joining the punters over the next few months.

Having already seen the likes of Craig David, Busted and the Sugababes, as well as rather fittingly named local band, Red Rum Club, most recently, we’ve had some ruddy good times soaking up The Jockey Club festivities and libations, and this year is already off to a storming start.

You can catch a glimpse of our latest visit to the races down below for a taster. In short, it was a blast.

As you can see, not only are the spirits high and free-flowing (if you catch our drift) at Haydock Park, but there’s more than just racing and betting slips when it comes to what’s on there during the summer.

In addition to plenty of food and drink, every year as part of their Music Night programme, The Jockey Club well and truly puts the Live in ‘live entertainment’ with a whole host of big names.

For instance, here’s who is coming up at Haydock this summer…

What’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer?

Tom Jones – Friday, 4 July

Perhaps the biggest name on the bill this year is the legendary Welsh soul singer and pop veteran SIR Tom Jones; that’s right, you could be in the presence of a real knight this July.

The 85-year-old who has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades on stage clearly couldn’t get enough the first time around, as Mr ‘Sex Bomb’ himself is coming back to the racecourse for a full headline slot as part of his ‘Defy Explanation’ tour.

Speaking ahead of another visit, he said: “Performing live is the centre of my life and I’m really pleased to be returning to Haydock Park Racecourse to play to such a welcoming audience. The Jockey Club Live shows are exciting dates in my calendar – the fans really enjoy the day, so [they] are always sensational.”

tom jones uk tour dates 2025
‘I can’t wait to spend a Summer’s evening with everyone this July.’ (Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr)

Becky Hill – Friday, 8 August

A month later, you can catch a contemporary pop queen and fellow British chart favourite, as solo star Becky Hill will be heading to Haydock for a headline performance of her own.

The Bewdley-born singer-songwriter and regular dance track feature artist already has 22 top 40 songs to her name and is pushing even further into the electronic music scene of late, with one of her newest hits, Swim’, becoming another big hit.

Jockey Club said of her date: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Becky and her phenomenal live show to Haydock Park. Tickets start from just £40, continuing our reputation for providing value-for-money entertainment destination for the region and beyond.”

becky hill haydock racecourse
‘With thousands of tickets for Red Rum Club sold in the presale alone, we’re urging fans to secure
their spot for next summer soon to avoid disappointment.’ (Credit: Press shot supplied via Chuff Media)

Next up: Jamie Webster – 21 June

But before both of these big British names is a local Merseyside legend, as indie guitarist and Liverpool-fan anthem specialist Jamie Webster will be heading down the road for what is sure to be a very popular night on home turf.

The ‘Weekend In Paradise’ and ‘This Place’ singer may have got his break performing to supporters around Anfield, but his music journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable – a real Northern, working-class success story in action.

Our Audio North team spoke to Webster ahead of his Haydock Park show on Saturday, 21 June and let’s just say we’re now more invested than ever in hearing Jamie play his third studio album, 10 For The People, for… well – you get it.

Come on, that’s a pretty solid lineup, isn’t it?

Better still, the party doesn’t stop once the summer is over, as The Jockey Club Live will be holding a number of other events throughout the rest of the year, not to mention all the usual horse-racing action at Haydock Park.

You can find out more information on the above and everything else on at the racecourse, as well as grab tickets to any of the dates that take your fancy right HERE.

Tiger Roll on the summer.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press shot (supplied)

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