There are no Premier League fixtures this weekend and a few days until the FIFA World Cup, SO one of the bigger stories in the world of football this week came from a very unlikely source, Ashton United of the Northern Premier League, whose motto is "Work Conquers All Things". You never stop learning... Ashton sits in the East Manchester conurbation.
“It just makes sense,” said Robins' manager, Michael Clegg. “Manchester City aren’t playing, and we want to help by keeping Erling Haaland fit. It makes more sense than him playing golf for six weeks. We think he will be a great fit for us and would slot in with our squad dynamic really well.”
Yes, Ashton were asking City to release Haaland for the period and to let their 23-goal, £51m striker Haaland go on loan for a month. Well, maybe it wasn't that serious, but it did highlight a valuable issue that City and United fans can help with over the next month. The country's media jumped on Ashton's cheeky loan offer and the regional news crews raced down to Hurst Cross.
When City were first formed, a club based in Hurst were one of their main rivals, yet the footballing fortunes of both areas couldn't be further apart these days. Of course, City are never going to let Haaland go on loan, let alone to a seventh-tier side. But Ashton have likely gained everything they hoped for when 'submitting' their loan for the world's most in-form striker - and likely more. They've got exposure, and while City take a break for five weeks, they will hope some of it translates into fans through the gate in the coming weeks. It's not just Ashton who need any extra body in the ground these days. Rivals Curzon Ashton, in the National League North, just took League One outfit Cambridge United to an FA Cup replay after a first-leg draw at the Tameside Stadium. Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United also play in the NPL, as do FC United and Atherton.
These clubs, along with the likes of Bury and Radcliffe, plus the many other local clubs further down the pyramid, will be hoping for a World Cup boost to attendances, whether in the ground for their ongoing league fixtures or in clubhouses to watch the more sanitised football going on in Qatar.
Then there are the more familiar names in Greater Manchester, who will continue to play through the World Cup. Oldham Athletic are turning a corner off the pitch after their summer takeover, but are struggling in the National League following relegation and will be hoping to pull away from the drop zone in the next few weeks under manager, David Unsworth. Stockport aren't finding League Two as easy as they found the National League, but are expecting a sell-out at Edgeley Park this weekend against high-fliers Leyton Orient, while Salford are just two points off the play-offs .
Rochdale are showing signs of steady improvement under Jim Bentley, and have two home games during the World Cup to try and climb up the table - including a much-anticipated derby with Stockport. Bolton are only outside of the League One play-offs on goal difference, although Wigan are struggling in the Championship relegation zone so may be thankful for the second tier taking a break until December 10 for the World Cup. Then there is the Women's Super League, which will take centre-stage domestically throughout the men's World Cup. United have started slightly better than City, sitting third with five wins from six while the Blues are a place behind and three points back having won their last four following a slow start. They will both be looking to continue their decent form in the lead-up to the December 11 derby at the Etihad Stadium, which could attract a record attendance for a women's Manchester derby - the last one at the Etihad saw 31,000 fans attend in 2019, and tickets are on sale for the 2022 edition. Most United and City fans will cope with the Premier League break by supporting their country at the World Cup. If they are missing the excitement of live football, though, or simply cannot relate to the many issues exposed at the very top of football in Qatar, there is plenty of honest football down the leagues.
They may not see Haaland play at Ashton United, but if they go along to their local club, watching game will be significantly cheaper than at City and could be one of the only opportunities to take in a lower-league game when City or United (or England) aren't playing.
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