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Bolton Wanderers match brought to a halt after a duck invades the pitch
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.
They praised the “debut of our new winger”.
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.
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.”
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.
“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.
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.
“Wonder if the fine for entering the pitch will be added to its bill.”
Brilliant.
Featured Image – Twitter (@FTFC)
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Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
You just love to see it.
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Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Trending
The Chestergate pub in Stockport is at it again with some of the most wonderfully Manc scenes you’ll ever see
Danny Jones
The legendary Chestergate pub in Stockport is back with another belter of a video, following on from their viral belly-flashing clip of 2022.
The Mersey Square boozer has painted yet another quintessentially Northern depiction of UK pub culture with the latest Manc scenes they’ve captured around the karaoke machine.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of stumbling into The Chestergate in Stockport town centre, the long-standing boozer currently operated by publican chain Blind Tiger Inns, you’re seriously missing out.
While it might not be the flashiest of pubs, when it comes to entertainment, it always delivers.
Whether it’s stunts like renaming themselves ‘The Southgate’ whenever the Euros or World Cup rolls around, or the locals just genuinely having a whale of a time no matter what day of the week it is, it really sums up the best of pub culture.
The Chestergate went viral for some of the most British footage ever caught on film back in 2022 and the videos saw a huge wave of love and support flooding in for the pub, as well as a healthy amount of chuckles. Safe to say we were chuffed to see them pop back up on our feed again recently.
Karaoke night at The Chestergate literally never disappoints.
Forget ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ or ‘Champagne Supernova’ for karaoke songs – we’ll take a cacophony of inaudible throwback pop music, whilst another bloke and his hype man try and MC over a totally ill-fitting beat any day of the week.
And that’s handy because you’ll find those kinds of shenanigans happening at this place all the time.
Be it hens and stags, St George’s Day celebrations; a safe-cracking-themed competition, a ‘Texas Hold ‘Em Hoedown’ dance-off, or simply the matchday crowds when the footy’s on, there’s always something going on here.
It’s simultaneously one of the most no-nonsense and somehow a non-stop shenanigan-filled paradise. They also look after their own and consider their regulars part of the family. Case and point: they threw their very own ‘Dancing Queen’ Molly a big bash for her 86th birthday and it’s such wholesome viewing.
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At this point, it’s worth flagging that we have nothing but envy for these folks and anyone who’s just out there having the time of their lives on any random weeknight.
Yes, it produced plenty of laughs for those watching online in recent times but this lot won’t mind one bit – not only is the pub seeing more and more new faces through the door but that’s the whole point of a pub, isn’t it? Going for a pint with your nearest and dearest and having a laugh.
Not only is it very Manchester but it’s Britain at its very best.
We hope to see you at The Chestergate pub in Stockport for a pint or two sometime soon and we’re making a bit of a prat of ourselves, don’t worry, we’re sure they’ll have the cameras ready for you.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — The Chestergate (via Facebook)
Emily Sergeant -
8th December 2021 
