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.
I’ve been a regular at non-league matches since watching dad from the age of four. It’s important to support clubs like @FCTrafford who are at the heart of their communities and run by volunteers. Delighted to accept this…and will be pushing to triple ticket prices forthwith. https://t.co/5zSNmBDgQO
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.
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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.
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“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.
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.
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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).
Marc Skinner leaves Manchester United Women after half a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women’s team boss Marc Skinner has officially left the club after half a decade at the helm ahead of the upcoming WSL season.
Spending five fairly fluctuating years in charge of the women’s Red Devils side, to put it mildly, the 43-year-old departs after having led MUWFC to their only ‘major trophy’ in the modern era with their FA Cup win back in May 2024.
Reports have claimed that Skinner had been pushing for more backing when it came to recruitment, especially with so many teams levelling up and spending a significant amount in the Women’s Super League – and that’s just in this transfer window alone.
Conversely, a good chunk of the former Birmingham City and Orlando Pride manager’s tenure involved saying goodbye to big and/or key players who have served various important terms at the team, including Alessia Russo, Katie Zelem, Hannah Blundell, Leah Galton, Millie Turner and Lucia Garcia.
Meanwhile, under INEOS, United have brought in very limited reinforcements in recent times, and the divisive ownership have been heavily criticised for their treatment of the women’s squad and facilities.
As The Athletic journalist Carl Anka put it on X, it feels like “All change at the club”, adding that “you could feel Skinner was getting frustrated over the relative lack of investment in the team.
Joining the countless reactions online, one user said, “Thanks for the memories but it was time to move on”, while another even went so far as to add, “The best decision done ever.”
This was the moment Manchester United women’s team won their first ever major trophy under Marc skinner’s regime.Thank you Skinner❤️ pic.twitter.com/kiMRVd5Md0
Im not his biggest fan, but to give him some slack, the Club are paying players poorly, selling his best players and not replacing them. Can't compete in the transfer market either. He must be able to see that the only way is downhill.
Issuing a passionate response in the comments under the official United post confirming the parting of ways, another supporter wrote: “Fans may have seen so many things wrong with him. But he was an incredible guy, THANK YOU for everything, Marc.
“You gave me so many memories supporting this great club, gave me so much of your time. Made me feel like me again. I will support you always in your next steps.”
So he clearly has had some detractors of late, but there are still plenty of people who have remained behind even during difficult times; whether or not claims of him offering his resignation or counter arguments that he was ‘eventually going to be sacked’ come out in the wash, only time will tell.
Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/MUTV (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026
Danny Jones
Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.
We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.
And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.
Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.
Stroll for Salford is back🚶🧡
We are delighted to announce the return of the popular fundraising walk back for its second edition on Saturday 19th September as part of Salford's Centenary Year celebrations!
— Salford City FC Foundation (@SalfordCity_FDN) July 30, 2026
Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.
Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.
It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.
The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.
As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.
Not a bad deal at all.
For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.
You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…
Danny Jones -
16th January 2025 
