UK News

Police issue statement after shocking scenes of riots in Leeds

A bus was set on fire and police car overturned.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 19th July 2024

Police have assured the public that ‘the full weight of the law’ will be brought against those taking part in a large-scale disturbance in Harehills last night.

Footage flooding social media showed huge riots breaking out in the Leeds neighbourhood, including a double-decker bus being deliberately set on fire.

A police car was also overturned in the disturbance.

A local councillor in Leeds was even seen trying to break up the riots, pulling materials out of people’s hands, The Hoot reports.

Residents were urged to stay safe indoors during the incident last night, which raged on for several hours.

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Thankfully, West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that no one has reported to have been injured in the unrest.

Officers are now reviewing the footage that was widely circulating on social media, and appealing for any other information or footage to be shared.

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A statement from the police said: “We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible.”

MP Yvette Cooper said: “I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight. Disorder of this nature has no place in our society.

“My thanks go to West Yorkshire police for their response. I am being kept regularly updated.”

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Green Party councillor Mothin Ali was seen in Harehills trying to stop the rioters, even pulling materials out of their hands that people were trying to add to the fires.

In a statement last night, West Yorkshire Police said: “We wish to reassure residents we are responding to the disorder incidents which have taken place, and that appropriate specialist public order resources are attending.

“Officers are also reviewing footage which has circulated on social media showing offending.

“All criminal offences, including damage to vehicles from fire, will be fully investigated by detectives from Leeds CID and the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.

“We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible.

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“Police can also confirm that no-one has so far been reported to have been hurt in the disorder and police are treating the matter as a serious public order incident.

“Residents who have perhaps gathered to observe the incidents are asked to keep away from the disorder while officers manage the incident.

“We would strongly discourage residents from speculating on the cause of this disorder which we believe has been instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations. Officers are aware of incorrect information circulating on social media suggesting persons potentially responsible.

“Members of the public who have reported incidents so far are thanked for their reports and we want to encourage people to contact us with information and footage of offenders. A specialised website will be set up to allow these reports to be made will be set up and further details regarding this on this will follow.

“Finally, we wish to thank members of communities who are working to reassure residents and calm the situation.”

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Featured image: X, @Dylan_laun

UK News

Lemn Sissay OBE pens powerful poem about Manchester City for Black History Month

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lemn Sissay MBE Man City poem

Lauded local poet Lemn Sissay MBE has penned a moving poem in collaboration with Manchester City, looking back on the club’s cultural past and key persons of colour for Black History Month.

Born in Orrell in the borough of Wigan, the published author, playwright, and BAFTA-nominated broadcaster has made a name as one of our region’s most notable wordsmiths, so it’s no wonder that he was selected by the Cityzens to touch on this particular topic.

Sissay, also a former Chancellor of the University of Manchester from 2015 until 2022, was the first Black Writers Development Worker in the North and was awarded an OBE for his service to literature back in 2010.

Teaming up not only with Man City but the club’s first-ever Black footballer, Stan Horne, as well as other senior stars from the Maine Road days, all the way up to the modern Etihad era.

‘The Stadium Speaks’ by Lemn Sissay – a poem commissioned by Manchester City for Black History Month 2025

Entitled The Stadium Speaks, the public reading of the verses runs for just under two minutes, but even in the relatively short space of time, there is so much power in this poignant poem.

Roping in help from other past players like Nedum Onuoha, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Shaun Goater, as well as current stars like Ruben Dias, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Jeremy Doku, each line leaves just as much impact as the last.

Just as importantly, they were also joined by Jahmal Williams-Thomas, City Matters’ Black and Mixed Heritage representative, Bing Findlater – the Official Supporter Club’s Equality and Inclusion Lead, as well as several other City fans and staff who work throughout the Eithad Campus.

Each individual who lends themselves to the performance delivers their part perfectly and from the heart; after all, Black culture isn’t something strictly celebrated during the month of October, but throughout communities all year round – as it should be.

Sissay, 58, clearly relished the chance to dive into how Greater Manchester‘s history intersects with not only football, but racism, equality, progress and more.

Speaking via a statement on the club website: “Manchester felt like home to me, the moment I stepped foot across the boundary. I came here very early on, when I think I was 13, I came to see Manchester City play. The first time I came to this city was to see City.

“I want the poem to be owned by the person who’s in the stand watching the game. And I wanted the poem to be owned by the person on the pitch who’s playing it. And I want them to feel proud reading it.”

The post goes on to reiterate that just like all teams throughout the football pyramid, racism and discrimination in all its forms should not and WILL not be tolerated.

Asking supporters to step up and speak as and when needed, City fans can report abuse and/or inappropriate behaviour to 07700151894, which will make security aware of what has been witnessed.  

Feedback can also be shared anonymously by texting the specific block, row, seat number and a short description of the incident to the number; if in doubt, talk to a steward or police officer at the game.

Elsewhere, the official MCFC Supporter Charter sets out their zero-tolerance policy when it comes to discrimination, and fans can also report online discriminatory abuse they see targeted at Premier League players, managers, coaches, match officials and their families directly HERE.

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Featured Images — Philosophy Football (via Flickr)/Manchester City

UK News

Salford City set to reverse kit colour following clear-cut fan vote

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford City FC reverting footy kit colour back to orange after fan vote

Salford City FC are set to make a historic change, or rather turn back time, as the Greater Manchester side looks set to change its main kit colour back to orange.

The Ammies are undergoing another big overhaul – the most significant since the ‘Class of 92’ bought the club back in 2014 – with supporters being invited to give their thoughts on the direction they want to see the club going in.

Currently sitting ninth in the third tier after making a positive start to the 2025/26 campaign, Salford City have been met not only with fresh investment in recent months but a fresh push for change from the ground up.

Including, as it turns out, the kit colour. After genuine calls to reverse the kit colour from the fans, the Salford board took a fan poll, with over three-quarters of all those who took part voting to return the City jersey to orange.

As you can see, 77.1% of Ammies confirmed that they were in favour of bringing back the predominantly orange and black shirt, shorts and socks; the switch is expected to happen before next season.

The League Two side has made it clear that promotion to the Championship is the big target over the next few years, and as the new consortium headed up by Gary Neville and David Beckham continues to try and transform the club once again, they’re looking to make big statements.

It doesn’t get much more foundational than restoring the orange shirts that Salford City wore for the best part of four decades prior to the initial takeover.

The decision itself comes after a thorough ‘heritage consultation’ process, where the older Neville brother and other key figures took supporter feedback into consideration, including the majority kit vote.

In terms of announcing the change, they’ve had plenty of fun revealing the outcome on social media, too.

Sharing a full statement on the club website, SCFC went on to detail that there is “significant work to be undertaken at the Peninsula Stadium to update cladding and seats, amongst other infrastructure upgrades that are already due to take place.”

Hoping to combine their “tangerine heritage with modern style to create a striking orange identity”, the overall brand aim is now simpler than ever: “when you see orange, you will know what it means. This is Salford. Proud. Unmistakable.”

Long-time supporter, Richard Kedzior – who also owns the recognisable orange and black flag that hangs in the west stand – said of the news: “I’m delighted that we’ve reverted back to orange, which over a 40-year period was the colour we were always associated with prior to the change to red.

“It’s a welcome return to tradition as well as giving us back our unique identity that will once again identify us all as proud supporters of Salford‘s premier football club.”

Before the reversal was fully confirmed, co-owner Neville discussed the potential change in a room full of passionate Salfordians.

Old Dead Tree fanzine committee member, Kev Wright, continued in the statement: “The orange kit represents Salford’s true identity. It sets us apart and reminds everyone that we are our own Club, not just a shadow of Manchester United.

“When we play in red, the comparisons are inevitable, and people can mistake us for something we’re not. Salford is different. It’s about local pride, about belonging to a community with its own history and its own future. Orange gives us a distinct voice and a colour we can call our own. It’s more than just a kit – it’s a statement that we are Salford, and proud!”

Signing off, fellow Ammie Deb Sculthorpe believes that this could be the ‘fresh start’ that the 85-year-old footballing outfit needs, adding that “timing is everything and now is the time.”

A further consultation is set to take place regarding the club crest, too, as some have also suggested reverting the modern logo to the old Salford Central-style badge, with more information to be shared as and when.

What do you make of the decision to swap the modern Salford red for Greater Manchester‘s second city classic orange strip, Ammies?

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Featured Images — Salford City FC/Gareth Lyons (via Wikimedia Commons)

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