Manchester United have asked any fans with spare warm clothes to bring them along to the derby this weekend as they continue their ‘Warm Hub’ community initiative this winter.
While most fans will obviously be fixated on what happens on the pitch come 12:30pm on Saturday, the club are once again reminding us that many have more important things to worry about than football.
Following the surge in energy prices and overall cost of living crisis, more than 3,700 warm banks have been set up across the UK in the past few months to support those who sadly cannot afford to keep the heating on.
One of those sites is located at Old Trafford, inside the Red Cafe to be specific, which opened on 6 December and provides a safe, heated space for the people who need it most in the local community. This latest community benefit marks the Warm Hub being extended for another six weeks.
.@ManUtd and supporters of the campaign are also holding a charity sleepout in the Munich Tunnel this evening. ❤️https://t.co/oOdOGyDUX2
Alongside providing hot drinks, snacks, entertainment and ‘talking benches’ to provide visitors and those battling loneliness with an outlet to communicate and feel welcome, they are now encouraging fans to donate any unwanted layers as part of a crucial new clothes drive.
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Created as part of the larger ‘United By Your Side’ campaign, which included a stadium sleepout for charity last month, this latest step sees the club going further when it comes to community action by asking supporters to get involved on their way to the ground.
Setting up collection points all around the ground, all fans need to do is drop off their coats, jumpers, scarves, hats, gloves etc. on their way into the stadium and do their bit for those struggling during these colder months.
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Issuing a statement on the club website, the United Foundation‘s chief exec John Shiels highlighted how the organisation is working “all-year-round to increase opportunities for vulnerable young people”, but that they also feel “an extra responsibility during the winter”.
💭 Will you be at Old Trafford for the derby on Saturday?
👉 We kindly ask you to please bring any spare clothes, which will be donated to people in need across the Greater Manchester community. #MUFC
That being said, although the Manchester derby is typically a day where the city splits in two and revels in the long-standing rivalry, the club are still focused on doing what they can to “ease some of the pressures facing our community”, especially during these difficult times.
Moreover, as mentioned, the fresh schedule of Warm Hub evenings start on Tuesday 17 January between 5-8pm and are, of course, free of charge to anyone who wants to come along. Those arriving can register via the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand reception and will be guided to the Red Cafe.
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Red or blue aside, it’s good to see important Manchester institutions contributing to the community and encouraging their loyal supporters to follow suit.
Be sure to bring your spare warm clothes if you heading to the game on Saturday.
Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Details of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester have been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed on the situation a little first, Manchester City was found guilty back in September all of its charges related to the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, and on top of that, was also found guilty of the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, the independent Commission found that Manchester City had arranged so-called ‘sham’ commercial deals with a number of its sponsors.
These were part of a disguised funding scheme – with those sponsors only required to pay a portion of the relevant sponsorship fees.
The remainder was then funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club.
The Commission also concluded, as quoted by the Premier League, that the club had ‘made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation’.
Within the past week or so, it has since come to light that now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham had dealings with Manchester City during his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now issued a public statement, giving details on the matter and what these ‘dealings’ entailed.
A spokesperson for GMCA confirmed that Burnham had a ‘formal meeting’ with Man City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, back in October 2021.
The statement reads in full: “In October 2021, Andy Burnham, in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had a formal meeting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at the UK Government’s Global Investment Summit arranged by the Department for International Trade.
“In his capacity as Mayor, he was a guest of Manchester City FC at home matches on a small number of occasions, including attending Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match in September 2019, where he met the Chairman informally in the stands. These have been declared in the usual way.
“Also during his time as Mayor, representatives of Greater Manchester sporting clubs would routinely join business delegations as part of Mayoral international visits.
“This included representatives from Manchester United travelling to Austin and Dublin, Lancashire Cricket Club joining a delegation to India, and Manchester City FC staff supporting visits to China and Japan.”
Featured Image – Lauren Hurley / Number 10 Downing Street (Press Image via Flickr)
Sport
Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
Multiple people were arrested over the weekend as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League clash.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a total of 10 people were arrested during the policing operation at Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield as they hosted Manchester City on Sunday 11 October.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, five were on suspicion of tragedy chanting, one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items onto the pitch.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are particularly looking to speak to witnesses of the assault of the officer.
At around 6:35pm, as fans left the stadium, a police officer sustained a ‘serious facial injury’ during the arrest of a man on Anfield Road, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but is now recovering at home.
Investigating officers are now conducting enquiries, speaking to witnesses, and analysing CCTV and camera phone footage.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said it’s ‘extremely disappointing’ that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out their duty.
“I hope the arrests send a clear message and act as a deterrent to others,” Chief Inspector Hobin continued. “Anyone who engages in this abhorrent behaviour risks ending up in custody and getting a criminal record.
“Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”
Manchester City ended up defeated Liverpool 3-0 during the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Danny Jones -
12th January 2023 
