Pitch invaders have grown to be a common sight in football over the years – but every now and then, a pitch invader comes along that’s “absolutely quackers”.
It’s not something you see every day, but last night, during a League One match between local North West sides Bolton Wanderers and Fleetwood Town FC at Fleetwood’s home ground, play was temporarily ground to a halt just before half time as a duck was spotted trying to get in on the action.
The duck in question was trying its best to get onto the pitch and show its skills, and was spotted waddling around by fans, who soon started singing its name.
Comical chants of “we’ve got a duck” could be heard echoing around the stadium.
Videos of the duck’s starring role in the match – which ended with Bolton Wanderers losing 3-0 to the home team – soon began pouring in on social media, including on Fleetwood Town’s official Twitter account.
Fleetwood Town did assure fans who were following along with its live tweets during the match, however, that the duck pitch invader “won’t be getting banned” this time, unlike its human counterparts who would generally be punished for such actions.
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Bolton Wanderers also told fans who were keeping an eye on Twitter updates that the pitch invader was safely removed.
A tweet on the Bolton Wanderers account confirmed: “Play has just resumed following a brief pause whilst a couple of members of staff prevented a duck from entering play.”
🦆 Play has just resumed following a brief pause whilst a couple of members of staff prevented a duck from entering play.
Of course though, given the fact that this isn’t something you see every day, Twitter was full of people comically reacting to the situation, with many choosing to poke fun at Bolton trailing behind in the game.
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“Can it take corners?,” one football fan quipped.
Another added: “Has he gone up in the pecking order?”, a third said: “Does the duck wanna come play for us? More desire to get on the pitch than our starting 11.”, and a fourth commented: “Give it a Bolton shirt. Probably do a better job.”
The duck puns just kept on coming, with another fan commenting: “Apparently he prefers playing on the wing.”
Specsavers even chipped in too.
Wonder if the fine for entering the pitch will be added to its bill
The leading UK optical chain – which is known for its viral Twitter escapades, and is often praised for its witty replies – joined in on the puns.
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“Wonder if the fine for entering the pitch will be added to its bill.”
Brilliant.
Featured Image – Twitter (@FTFC)
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
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Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
8th December 2021 
