Wythenshawe FC, formerly known as Wythenshawe Amateurs, set a new record for their largest-ever attendance this week as the club looks to keep growing as a semi-professional football club.
The South Manchester side dropped their ‘Amateur’ tag and introduced a new crest back in June as they look to further establish both their men’s and women’s teams, and with the club’s infrastructure continuing to develop, they have now managed to pull in their biggest crowd ever.
Playing against the similarly invigorated Bury FC following their return to Gigg Lane and competitive football, Wythenshawe hosted a reported 1,400 supporters on Tuesday evening, comfortably the most fans they’ve ever had come along to a game.
In fact, given the club is still only just starting to expand as they aim to not just become a fully-fledged semi-pro outfit but potentially go beyond that, they even had to turn fans away from their Hollyhedge Park stadium. Massive.
BIGGEST CROWD IN WYTHENSHAWE!
Last night’s attendance against @buryfcofficial was a club-record 1,400 ⚽️
Unfortunately, we had to turn some spectators away.
The home ground itself was only built back in 2017 and despite plenty of loyal match-goers week in and week out, the club hasn’t witnessed scenes like these all that often.
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Still known as the ‘Ammies’, a huge part of the club’s growth over the past year or so has not only come from their promotion into the North West Counties League’s Premier Division but Manchester’s Night-Time Economy Adviser and WHP founder Sacha Lord coming on board as Chair.
Back in April, Lord expressed his excitement to be joining the board and insisted they had “plans to grow attendance and improve the overall experience for fans and visitors, making this a thriving ground with a hugely diverse fanbase.” It looks as though they’re already well on their way to making the vision a reality.
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They new-look club even took pride of place on the big screens at Noel Gallagher’s recent Wythenshawe Park gig — a massive homecoming show that was the first the venue had ever seen and which local lad Lord, along with Mayor Andy Burnham, also helped to make happen.
One of the best parts about Wythenshawe FC managing record attendance numbers and making waves in such a way is that the progress isn’t just limited to the men’s team either.
Earlier this year, around the same time they changed their name and badge, the Ammies also made a commitment to devote just as much time and resources to developing the women’s team as well, taking them semi-pro and appointing a new head coach in James Mulvihill.
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Speaking at the time of the announcement, women’s captain Sophie Whitby said: “This is great news for women and girls throughout our club – showing how much we value them and how ambitious we are for them.
“I think it will send a really strong signal in the footballing world but also in our local community: that equality matters.
“We’ve created a really strong pathway for boys and men to semi-professional football, retaining players within the club. I firmly believe we can do this for women and girls too. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
Paul Scholes blasts Ruben Amorim for ‘bull****’ response to Kobbie Mainoo question
Danny Jones
Club legend Paul Scholes has called out Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim for what he dubbed a “bull****” reaction to a question from a journalist regarding Kobbie Mainoo on Thursday.
The Portuguese coach saw his Premier League win rate clock in at just under 44% (the lowest of any Man United manager for, let’s just say, some time) after the 1-1 home draw against West Ham.
Conceding a late goal against the Irons, who are currently sat in the relegation zone, the Red Devils ultimately dropped another two points against a side that they should be beating, both based on present form and if they have any hopes of competing for the top spots.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim was pressed on why he didn’t make a more offensive substitution to try and claw back the victory, to which he then asked what looked to be a somewhat loaded question and gave this reaction after the response:
The laughter, in particular, hasn’t gone down well with everyone, especially the Class of ’92 graduate and retired midfielder.
Jumping on social media after the quotes from the Amorim press conference were out, Scholes posted on his Instagram story: Bull****. This kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football.”
He went on to add: “Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it’s probably best for him now – enough is enough.”
First off, Reds – do you agree?
It isn’t the first time Scholes has levelled criticism at Amorim, his tactics, management and overall coaching style, having said this of their previous appointment at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes on Ruben Amorim's tactics against 10-man Everton which frustrated him 😬 pic.twitter.com/AgsESuH83h
Safe to say he isn’t his biggest supporter at the moment.
Fellow former teammate and England international turned pundit, Gary Neville, was also left not just confused but frustrated by the performance, telling Sky Sports in his post-match interview that he noted the camera picking up “real dejection” on the faces of the fans after the full-time whistle.
With an away trip against Wolves, a home match against Bournemouth, as well as travelling to face high-flying European place competitors, Aston Villa, before hosting Newcastle on Boxing Day, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the results will pan out.
You can see the highlights from Man United vs West Ham down below.
How many points do you see them picking up over the next four fixtures?
BBC releases first look of new drama series based on inspirational journey of England men’s football team
Emily Sergeant
First look images of a new BBC drama series based on award-winning play Dear England have been released.
The four-part series based on James Graham’s Olivier-award winning play of the same name tells the story of Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team journey to renewed success, and it’s set to air on BBC One and iPlayer next year.
Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.
The stage play premiered at the National Theatre to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier award for ‘Best New Play’, and enjoying a sell-out run in 2023 before it returned to the National Theatre earlier this year and then embarked on a national tour.
The first look images of new BBC series Dear England have been released / Credit: BBC
With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land.
The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
Joseph Fiennes will reprise his Olivier award-nominated role as Gareth Southgate in the new series.
Joseph Fiennes will star as former manager Gareth Southgate / Credit: BBC
The first look pictures see Fiennes in his role for the first time in scenes depicting England’s triumphant Euro 2024 Semi-Final celebrations, where the men’s team reached their first final of a major tournament on foreign soil.
Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, and Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland the former assistant manager, whilst Will Antenbring stars as Harry Kane, joined by an ensemble cast of upcoming actors as the rest of the team.
Among the squad cast is Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow, and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd, who are all reprising their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford, and Dele Alli.
Danny Jones -
7th September 2023 
