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.”
Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Shot (via SCFC)
Sport
Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.
However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”
Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”
The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.
Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.
For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.
Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”
However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.
With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.
Danny Jones -
7th September 2023 
