Sport

Stockport County release ‘classic’ and historic third kit as a charitable nod to their past

An inspired take for an important cause.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 6th August 2025

Stockport County have released their third kit for the 2025/26 season, and the stylish nod to their history has not only gone down as an instant hit among the fan base, but it also doubles as a vital fundraiser for grassroots football.

County are gearing up for their second season back in League One after just missing out on back-to-back promotions and a glorious return to the Championship in the previous campaign.

Enjoying life under manager Dave Challinor, the Greater Manchester club has come a long way over the past few years, and they’ve made sure not to forget their past either.

Unveiling the new third shirt with a moving kit reveal video that harkens back to their past as part of the local sporting community.

Reverting to their historical cross crest for the 25/26 third kit, the striking green strip pays tribute to the nearby origins, having spent their foundational years as a footballing outfit at Green Lane in Heaton Norris – a Stopfordian suburb and one of the four thriving Heatons.

Before Stockport went by County, they were called Heaton Norris Rovers, and so they decided to rewind the clock and bring back the old badge for this noteworthy kit drop.

As per an official statement on the club website, “The launch of the kit was a special occasion, with the photoshoot bringing together a cross-section of the entire County family.

“Players from the Men’s first team and Academy, as well as members of the Ladies team and individuals from our community groups through the Stockport County Community Trust, all took part.”

Teaming up with local photographer Andrew Findlay to tap into that authentic, old feeling in the images, using vintage 35mm film to create a “timeless quality, perfectly matching the historic crest and the nostalgic feel of the location where our journey began”, the results speak for themselves.

Putting our own allegiances aside, this simple and stripped-back shirt design isn’t just an instant classic among most County fans, but it’s one of our favourite football shirts to come out of Greater Manchester for some time.

The shoot itself was even held at their former ground on Green Lane, with players, fans and youngsters gathering in front of the historic Nursery Inn pub, as well as on the bowling green, right next to where they used to play their home matches back in 1889 before moving to Edgeley Park in 1902.

As the club goes on to write: “This launch is more than just a new kit; it’s a celebration of our grassroots history. The green colour scheme reflects not only the Green Lane ground, but also the Club’s deep roots in the local community. 

“To honour this legacy, we are committed to supporting the next generation of local talent. For every third kit sold, £2 will be donated to Stockport County‘s Grassroots Football Fund, helping to ensure that football continues to thrive at a local level. 

“This new kit is a tribute to our past, a commitment to our present, and an investment in our future. We can’t wait to see the County faithful wearing this piece of our history with pride.” You love to see it.

If you’re interested, you can grab one HERE and help donate to regional grassroots support.

Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
With a stadium expansion and other significant plans for the club coming up, it’s an exciting time to be a Hatter.

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Featured Images — Stockport County/Andrew Findlay (supplied)

Sport

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

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Storm announced new forward signing for 25/26 seasons

Local ice hockey side Manchester Storm have announced a promising new signing in the form of Canadian forward, Brandon Cutler – a player they have already dubbed as a “proven goalscorer.”

Cutler arrives from DEL2 (DEL2 (Deutsche Eishockey Liga 2) outfit EC Kassel Huskies over in Hessen, Germany, where he spent his maiden campaign outside of North America.

Now set to remain on the European circuit for a sophomore season and first here in the UK, the Alberta-born winger and Western Hockey League (WHL) youth product comes with a great pedigree and stat pack even at just 25.

Officially revealed on Tuesday night, 5 August, Storm didn’t hide their excitement over the acquisition of the soon-to-be Elite Ice Hockey League debutant.

Having notched multiple AHL call-ups and represented teams such as the Abbotsford Canucks, Belleville Senators, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Colorado Eagles, as well as the Victoria Royals and Red Deer Rebels, he’s amassed plenty of worldly experience and a broader knowledge of the sport.

It’s this foundation, along with a record of 25 points (11G, 14A) across 40 appearances in his first season across the pond, that has seen him identified as a viable attacking threat for Manchester Storm.

Writing in a statement on the club website, they noted how “Cutler enjoyed a highly productive spell with the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), where he amassed 122 points (61G, 61A) in just 127 games.”

During his five cumulative seasons with the Royals and the Rebels, he racked up more than 250 appearances and developed a reputation as one of their most prolific and industrious players.

Newly-installed head coach and former veteran player, Cam Critchlow, said of the latest recruit: “Brandon is a dynamic forward who brings a great work ethic and a solid two-way game.

“He’s proven he can produce offensively at the professional level and will be a key part of our forward group this season. He’s hungry to win and will fit right into the culture we’re building here in Manchester.”

Cutler follows the announcement of fellow new signings Brad Jenion, along with Storm academy graduates Tyler de la Bertouche and Jace Gledhill, who recently arrived in Altrincham from Chester’s Deeside Dragons.

This also comes after another announcement detailing a treble of two-way deals, which will see Noah Kääriäinen, Josh Crawley, and elite development squad product Theo Malone spend time with fellow affiliated partners Hull Seahawks as part of their ongoing collaboration.

Already a Manc ice hockey legend, Critchlow confirmed his retirement (again) back in March, but was quickly unveiled as the new Storm boss just a couple of months later.

Safe to say there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2025/26 season inside the Storm Shelter.

Critchlow will be watching from the sidelines at Planet Ice this year.

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Featured Images — Manchester Storm (via IG/X)/Western Hockey League (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Bury FC offering free tickets to Morecambe fans amid ongoing club crisis

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bury FC offering Morecambe fans free tickets

Bury FC are offering free tickets to travelling Morecambe fans free tickets to an upcoming match in a show of solidarity for the fellow North West football club amid their ongoing crisis.

For anyone unaware of the situation in the Lancashire town, Morecambe FC could soon be no more after being suspended from the National League as they face further financial uncertainty.

At present, controversial owners  Bond Group Investments LTD, led by businessman Jason Whittingham, have failed to sell the struggling club despite multiple deadlines, leaving the vital community sporting organisation on the precipice of complete collapse.

While the seaside team currently have no fixtures to look forward to with the 25/26 season now underway for various parts of the football pyramid, the Greater Manchester outfit, which only recently survived similarly their own precarious circumstances, has offered Morecambe fans free admission.

Although this is a very temporary alternative, with complimentary tickets being offered for Bury’s Northern Premier League West season home opener against Newcastle Town, it is a touching show of support from regional counterparts who know all too well the fear and pain of potential dissolution.

Sharing a post on their official website and social media along with the message, “We’ve been where you are. We stand with you.”, The Shakers have stated that anyone who turns up at Gigg Lane for the game this Saturday, 9 August, with their season ticket or wearing a Morecambe badge can enter for free.

It was only back in 2019 that Bury themselves were expelled from the football league after 125 years as a result of their unpaid debts. It’s fair to say that the state of affairs at Morecambe looks strikingly familiar.

Plenty of clubs have been placed into administration and hit with suspensions over the years, and Bury did go on to reunite their AFC phoenix club back in May 2023, but unfortunately, nothing is ever certain given how money-driven modern football is.

To add more context, Whittingham has been registered as the director of 25 companies during his career, but it’s important to add that a staggering total of 18 have been dissolved (either forcibly or voluntarily), put into administration, liquidated, or put into receivership – the stage before full liquidation.

Global sports investment firm, Panjab Warriors, stated that it is still prepared to acquire 100% of the club, but is yet to finalise any kind of deal now that all footballing operations have ceased, especially given that the club’s insurance has also run out.

It remains to be seen how many travelling Shrimps supporters will make the nearly 50-mile journey to 0161 for the game, but Bury’s classy gesture has nevertheless been met with plenty of praise.

For now, it has been reported that Morecambe have anywhere between the end of the week and 20 August – when the National League meets to discuss the matter again – to balance books and/or discover their fate.

The beautiful game belongs to everyone; people of all regions and walks of life, from the grassroots all the way up to the Premier League, and as a footy-obsessed part of the world, we all know all too well how important it is to have these sporting and crucially social outlets in local areas.

Sending all our support to all those at Morecambe FC, and we hope to see these dire straits resolved with the right outcome sooner rather than later.

Bury offering free tickets to Morecambe fans is touching, but when are clubs going to get better protection from questionable ownership?

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Featured Images — Surreykraut (via Flickr)/Ian Taylor (Geograph)/Bury FC

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