The owner of Stockport County Football Club has officially invested in his second European team.
Greater Manchester businessman Mark Stott, who is also the founder of their principal sponsors Vita Group, has owned Stockport County since January 2020, helping oversee their rise back into the EFL and now as promotion contenders in League One.
The local entrepreneur behind the Cheshire-based property developers obviously has other investments in his portfolio, and after news of him backing a second side, Stott has shared an update with County supporters to assure them of his continued commitment to the Hatters.
Penning an open letter to the fans, the 53-year-old began by wishing his dedicated matchgoers a happy new year before going on to clarify his plans for both organisations.
Club Statement: Owner Mark Stott has written an open letter to all County supporters.#StockportCounty
“First and foremost, I want to say how proud I am of Stockport County and of everything we have achieved together”, says Stott. “We begin 2026 competing strongly in League One, with a clear long-term plan for the club and the incredible backing you give week in, week out.
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“Our progress on the pitch and the stability we have built off it are the result of a genuine collective effort. I never lose sight of the vital role you all play in that success.
“Since becoming the owner of Stockport County in January 2020, my focus has been on the club and its long-term progress. With that in mind, it’s important to me that I update you on other sporting investments by Stott Capital that you may be aware of.”
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Citing his big picture project, the Pro Football Academy, as having now become “the largest football coaching business in Europe”, not to mention the F2 sporting social media platform, Stott Capital has now taken its increasing global presence in the industry by investing in Debreceni VSC (DVSC).
Title contenders in Hungary’s top league, Nemzeti Bajnokság (N1), DVSC are based in the nation’s second largest city – not dissimilar to Greater Manchester after London here in the UK.
Seven-time division champions themselves, they are one of the most established sides in the country.
Moreover, Mark has reiterated that, like his work with County, “Hungary has invested significantly in football infrastructure over the past decade”, also vouching not only for DVSC’s rich history already but a “strong talent pipeline.”
It remains unclear just how big a share they now own, but it is reported to be a majority stakeholding; as for their Stopfordian counterparts, could we see Stockport players being loaned out to Hungary and vice versa, as well as pre-season friendlies between the two? Only time will tell.
He goes on to reiterate that Stott Capital’s relationship with DVSC “does not change our plans for Stockport County“, clarifying that “the two clubs will operate entirely independently, and I remain firmly committed to delivering on our ambitions.”
Now six years into the ownership group’s seven-year plan to transform County and get them back into the Championship (a goal they’ve very nearly reached), Stott added that there will be continued funding into the SCFC infrastructure, youth academy, the Edgeley Park stadium and more.
Promising more details this coming summer, he signed off by adding: “Thank you, as always, for your trust, passion, and incredible support. I’m excited about where we can take Stockport County in the years ahead. Mark.”
Featured Images — Stockport County FC (supplied)/Thaler Tamas (via Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
Manchester City reveal new state-of-the-art women’s football facility
Danny Jones
Manchester City Football Club has finally unveiled its brand-new women’s football facility as their home base moves across to another section of the ever-growing Etihad Campus.
Costing more than £10m in total redevelopment costs, the new training ground and all-round squad hub aims to set a new industry standard.
First announced back in January 2024, the state-of-the-art complex was revealed in full this Wednesday, 13 May, being met with a strong reception from the senior women’s squad and Man City supporters in general.
To help celebrate the opening, City Football Group (CFG) Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak travelled into the city to be one of the first through the doors.
Spanning well over 170,000 feet, the multi-million-pound facility marks one of the most significant investments in female football history.
With sector-leading technology installed in virtually every corner of the space, club captain and Euros-winning Lioness Alex Greenwood told Sky Sports, “It’s incredible […[ We’re very lucky that we get to call this home. The building is absolutely brilliant and has everything that we need.”
Going on to express her excitement over this being her new place of work, she mentioned that all City Women stars had input over things to include in the plans and how they wanted it to look, as did members of the wider staff.
Not just now an ‘elite level performance centre’, but where these talented young sportswomen will be spending so much of their time, she and her teammates believe they got it spot on, declaring that “this is taking it to a whole new level.”
She also noted that at least one of the rooms is the one where the squad watched the Arsenal vs Brighton draw, which sealed their first league title in a decade, so there’s already been some great memories made there.
Here’s a quick fly-through of the impressive achievement…
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) May 13, 2026
The new digs are also much more than just a training ground; according to the club, besides player preparation and recovery and minimising injuries, with a world-class gym as well as other strength and conditioning facilities, it includes dedicated medical, rehab and physio spaces.
Hydrotherapy and advanced recovery areas have also been built, with MCWFC’s circular dressing room at the heart of the whole building.
Writing on the club website, Man City Women Managing Director, Charlotte O’Neill, said: “After years of planning, designing and constructing, we are proud to open our new world-class space that we believe offers some of the very best facilities in women’s sport in the UK.
“This building is about so much more than bricks and mortar; it is about creating an environment where our players can thrive, where standards are set at the very highest level, and where the current squad has everything it needs to continue to compete for and win silverware.
She went on to say, “It is also a clear statement of our ambition to continue to develop and attract the very best talent in world football.” It’s also worth noting that this will further free up other EDS (elite development squad) and youth academy outfits to make use of existing buildings.
Khaldoon echoed a similar sentiment, adding that this new addition to the wider Etihad Campus “reflects the scale of our ambition for Manchester City Women and our long-term belief in the future of the women’s game.”
It looks to be a pretty staggering upgrade; there’s no doubt about that.
As for the rest of the campus, along with the soon-to-open on-site hotel, we also now have more details regarding the accompanying Medlock Square that is also set to launch in tandem.
Manchester United reportedly set to release first-ever fourth kit for 2026/27 season
Danny Jones
In what will be a club-first, it’s being claimed that Manchester United will be releasing a fourth kit for the 2026/27 campaign.
And no, we don’t mean a special one-off pre-match jersey or training shirt; this will be an additional alternative Man United strip to be worn in games next season.
With the current term set to conclude in just a couple of games’ time, and the Red Devils having now secured a return to the Champions League, they’re marking their comeback with their inaugural fourth kit – one for each of the competitions they will be playing in this year.
Football clubs often rotate between two or even three kits, but it’s not all that often that you see a side springing for another one.
💣💣💣 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Adidas to Release First-Ever Manchester United 4th Kit in 26-27: https://t.co/xDJa8inmPG
As broken by reliable football fashion source, Footy Headlines, while there isn’t much information around what the kit will look like, or even what the colour will be just yet, it is believed it will be a variation on the classic trio of red, white and black used for home shirts, shorts and socks.
Historically, most teams that have opted to take on an extra kit usually do so when competing in more tournaments than most terms – such as Manchester City in the most recent Club World Cup – for special anniversary matches, milestone derbies, cup-ties or some kind of limited-edition collaboration.
However, according to the online outlet, this fourth kit will be match-worn at some point in 2026/27, though we are yet to get a clear timeline.
Meanwhile, posters for the new MUFC home shirt are currently going up outside Old Trafford.
Footy Headlines state that the launch is expected in early next year, rather than for the start of 26/27, and many supporters are already speculating that it will be worn primarily for European/cup fixtures.
Shirts like these are always likely to become collectors’ items, and it goes without saying that, besides being a helpful rotation when it comes to potential kit clashes, this will no doubt serve as yet another money spinner for both them and Adidas.
United’s current deal with the German kit manufacturers runs until 2035, and if this proves to be a popular addition to their sportswear lineup and the ever-growing ‘casual culture’ among fans, we wouldn’t be surprised if you see even more fourth shirts coming out of Manchester in the future.
Speaking of footy kits, for those who haven’t seen it already, he’s a close-up look at the aforementioned Manchester United home strip for next season.
Danny Jones -
7th January 2026 
