Sport

Trafford FC appoint sports editor and journalist Andy Mitten as new honorary vice president

A strong fan-driven voice is as crucial for grassroots as it's ever been.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 16th January 2025

Local non-league side Trafford FC have named revered Manchester author, editor and sports journalist Andy Mitten as their new vice president.

Founder of and chief editor of the long-standing fanzine, United We Stand (UWS), editor-at-large for FourFourTwo and a regular contributor in the likes of The Athletic and The National, he’s one of the foremost football writers in the country.

Best known for his coverage of Manchester United, having followed them all around the world from a young age and written about them in UWS since 1989 – one of if not the biggest fanzine of its kind in the country – he has been a regular face at Trafford FC for several seasons.

As a result of his continued support and advice over the years, club officials have decided to appoint Mitten as the new honorary VP.

Although the position is an honorary one, his decades of experience as a match-goer, knowledge of the football industry at large and media pedigree will no doubt make him a valuable member of the team, providing key insight into how best to run a club from a fan perspective, most crucially.

ADVERTISEMENT

Making an official announcement on the club site, a short statement on behalf of the board reads: “Trafford Football Club is delighted to announce that Andy Mitten has accepted an offer to become honorary vice-president of the club.

“Journalist and author Andy is often seen at our Shawe View Stadium whenever he is in Manchester, and in recent seasons has taken in a few away games too.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He has been a great source of advice, ideas, and support for the club for several years now, and being from the locality, Andy wants to help Trafford FC grow in its community in the north of the Borough of Trafford. I’m sure everyone will wish Andy all the best as he takes on his latest role!”

As you can see, resharing to the official announcement on social media, the 51-year-old responded in typically dry wit with a quip regarding ticket prices – a subject he’s been decried very vocally following the recent concession saga at Old Trafford.

Manchester United fans planning protest over significant ticket price increase
Safe to say ticket prices are considerably higher at Man United this season…

Based over in Flixton, Trafford FC has only been going since 1990, when they were originally known as North Trafford, being set up by fellow locals David Brown, John Harrison, David Law, and Bill Whitten.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cut to 2025 and the Northern Premier League side has seen significant investment and development, with the stands being updated, a new perimeter wall, proper floodlighting and more facilities being installed/improved.

Director Dave Law, who was one of the founding members, is still helping out at the age of 72, selling golden goal tickets on matchdays, writing match reports and plastering posters around the local area, which has seen the club’s following steadily grow over time.

Trafford FC’s next fixtures are in the West Divison against Witton Albion at 3pm on Saturday, 18 January before they take on Avro FC the following Wednesday (22 Jan).

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Kjetil Ree/Kcd62 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Manchester Storm legend Cam Critchlow announces retirement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Cam Critchlow retiring Manchester Storm

It’s an emotional day for Manchester Storm die-hards as club legend Cam Critchlow has revealed he will soon be retiring.

Consider this well and truly the end of an era, not just for the local side but for the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) and followers of the game up and down the country.

Manchester Storm supporters have said goodbye to the Cam Critchlow before – more than once, in fact – but this time, we’re sad to say, it’s for good. No, really this time.

Confirmed via an official announcement on Friday evening, 2025 is set to be his last year not only as an EIHL star but as a professional ice hockey player full stop.

Sharing an emotional goodbye in a lengthy and heartfelt statement, the club wrote: “Manchester Storm are set to bid farewell to a true club legend, as it has today been confirmed that Captain Cam Critchlow will be retiring from professional hockey at the end of this season.

“After an illustrious career, Critchlow will hang up his skates, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by fans, teammates, and the entire Storm community.”

The 33-year-old began his playing days back in his home country of Canada before a period in Australia and eventually on the ECHL developmental tier, which serves as a proving ground for the American Hockey League and North American’s premier hockey division, the NHL.

Fast forward to 2018, when Critchlow made his EIHL and Storm debut, it’s fair to say few could have predicted just how much of an icon he would become for the club over the next half-decade, going on to mark his fifth season in Altrincham this year – technically across three spells, but who’s counting?

In addition to the wealth of experience he brought to the team, they describe his contributions as “immeasurable”, a sentiment we’re sure supporters would agree with. Speaking in an extensive and candid interview with the club, he said simply: “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever been able to do.”

For Cam Critchlow, retiring was “the most difficult decision” but one that feels like the right one.

To put it in the words of the club, “Over these years, he has been the heartbeat of the Storm, offering leadership, skill, and commitment both on and off the ice.

“As team captain, his work ethic and dedication to the game have been an inspiration to his teammates, and his passion for the sport has endeared him to fans across the region.”

It goes without saying that he has remained one of Manchester Storm’s top performers from start to fairytale returns and now his twilight ending, racking up 203 points and an impressive 260 PIMs in 296 appearances for the local outfit, boasting a total of 68 goals and 135 assists.

Going on to earn dual citizenship here in the UK, he’s also gone on to represent Great Britain more than a dozen times too. Impact, longevity and commitment.

Former Storm colleague Matt Ginn wrote: “Congrats on an outstanding career. Just truly one of the best. As good of a player, captain, leader, and teammate you were, you’re an even better person, and I’m lucky to call you a friend.” He’s also gone on to help inspire the next generation of Manc players.

Storm went on to add: “His on-ice performances will forever be etched in the history of the club, but it is his leadership and character that will leave the most lasting impression.”

Expressing their gratitude for his years of service, they also wished him “nothing but success in all future endeavours”; surely a coaching career beckons next?

In celebration of his illustrious career, the Storm Shelter is set to honour ‘Cap Cam’ as part of a celebration on Friday, 4 April, when they host Guildford Flames at Planet Ice.

They signed off by encouraging fans “to join the club as we come together to celebrate Cam Critchlow’s extraordinary journey and bid him a fond farewell. It promises to be a memorable occasion and a fitting tribute to one of the finest captains the team has ever had.

“Thank you, Cam, for everything you have done for the Manchester Storm. Your efforts will never be forgotten.”

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Mark Ferris/Manchester Storm (via YouTube screenshot)

Sport

Stockport County’s playoff fortunes hampered following Callum Camps injury

Danny Jones Danny Jones Callum Camps injured Stockport County

Stockport County’s luck as we head into the crunch time period has taken a less than ideal turn as Callum Camps is confirmed to be injured.

The club now has a clearer idea of how long he’ll be out for, but it’s not great news.

Camps was subbed off in just the 21st minute during County‘s recent away clash with title contenders Wrexham after a full-blooded tackle by fellow midfielder George Dobson – a challenge which went unpunished on the day, much to the frustration of the travelling fans.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester on Friday, 28 March, manager Dave Challinor revealed that the physios expect him to be out for “at least 6 weeks”, meaning he’ll likely miss the rest of the season.

As one of County’s most crucial and experienced players, his presence in the middle of the park is likely to be a big miss, especially with the playoff scraps looming large for the promotion hopefuls.

Challinor acknowledged that it’s a big blow not only for the club but the Tameside-born Northern Ireland international, cutting a quietly frustrated figure in his interview and giving away little regarding Camps’ current mentality besides his obvious “disappointment.”

At 29 years old and running out of contract this summer, the injury will no doubt bring an added pressure regarding his future as well, though you would suspect most Stopfordians would like to see him stay at Edgeley Park come 2025/26 if possible.

Not only a reliable operator in the engine room but also considered by plenty of fans as one of their best players this season, there’ll be lots of Hatters worrying how much of an impact this will have on how this year’s League One conclusion pans out.

Even with prior fitness issues in recent years, he’s still managed to make an impact and work his way back into the first-choice matchday squad, and many believe he should be more of a mainstay on the teamsheet for his national team.

To make matters worse, he’s not the only one set to watch the remaining games from the sidelines, as defender Ryan Rydel also looks set to be out for the next few weeks.

Following an injury suffered at Bolton Wanderers the week prior to the Wrexham game, the Oldham-born left-back who had made 15 appearances for County this season – half of those as an increasingly regular young member of the starting XI – a hamstring problem looks to have cut his campaign short too.

With just over half a dozen league fixtures left, it’ll be interesting to see how they’ll fare if they stay within the playoff places as predicted.

It’s been a frustrating few months for Stockport as they also had to bid a reluctant goodbye to rising star and high-flying loanee Louie Barry, who was recalled by his parent club Aston Villa only for him to be loaned out to Hull City and end up getting injured himself.

When it rains, it pours, as they say.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Stockport County (screenshot via YouTube)

More Sport

Manchester

The 2025 Manchester Marathon is set to create the UK’s biggest-ever day of running

Darren Orme Wigan fan death tributes

News

Wigan unites in paying tribute to ‘much-loved’ local sports fan, Darren Orme, after body is found

Greater Manchester Paralympians named MBEs after Paris 2024 medals

Cheshire

Two Greater Manchester-based Paralympians pick up MBEs following Paris 2024 heroics

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches