Another derby day is on the horizon.
The FA has finally confirmed the date and scheduled kick-off time for the 2024 Community Shield between Manchester United and Manchester City.
It was only last month that we saw the second-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final in history play out and now we'll see the two teams return to the capital in just over a month and a half for another clash.
Revealing the Community Shield details on Wednesday, 26 June, this year's game will take place at 3pm on Saturday, 10 August.
Best getting booking them train tickets, Manc.
Credit: Ratchet8865 (via Wikimedia Commons) With Man City having won a record fourth Premier League in a row and Man United getting one over on the Blues against the odds in last season's FA Cup final, the neighbours will take each other on for just the third time in the history of the Community Shield - United having prevailed in all three.
Given the nature of the rivalry, the kick-off time comes as little surprise, with 3pm having been chosen for the start of the last two Manchester derbies at Wembley to aid with travel and crowd control.
The match will be televised live on ITV 1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, with comprehensive radio coverage from BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC World Service, TalkSPORT and TalkSPORT International.
Who's winning this one then do we reckon?
Featured Images - The Football Association (FA)/Ratchet8865 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Mary Earps is set to leave Manchester United and join PSG on a free transfer this summer 
Danny Jones 
After much speculation over her future, Lionesses keeper Mary Earps is reportedly set to leave Manchester United and join French giants PSG on a free transfer this summer.
The 31-year-old has been at Man United for nearly five years after joining from German side VfL Wolfsburg back in 2019 and has gone on to become not only the Red Devils' number one but England's too, emerging as one of the national team's biggest leaders over the past few years.
Having picked up the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year among multiple other awards following her heroics at the Euros and World Cup, along with her campaigning on behalf of women's sport, her stock has never been higher, but deliberations surrounding a new contract have dragged on for months.
Unfortunately for Man United Women fans, it looks as though the two parties have in the end failed to reach an agreement and they'll have to big goodbye to Mary 'Queen of Stops'.
Mary Earps will leave Manchester United at the end of her contract to join Paris Saint-Germain pic.twitter.com/82k5qAAwbq
- Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) June 25, 2024 As per multiple outlets, there has been no resolution between Earps and the WSL club despite lengthy negotiations and the fan-favourite player is now expected to leave Manchester when her contract expires at the end of the month.
The shot-stopper - who picked up the award for FIFA's Best Goalkeeper in 2022 and the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year in 2023 - is also said to have already chosen Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as her next destination.
According to the Evening Standard's Simon Collings, United are "understood to have made the goalkeeper a strong offer to stay, but she is keen for a new challenge elsewhere", though Earps herself said the decision would ultimately be "up to the club" - the suggestion being it wasn't a big enough deal.
It's fair to say this will be a big loss for the club and not the only instance in which they won't receive any kickback from the move, having similarly let a first-team star and fellow Lioness Alessia Russo go for free and join title rivals Arsenal at the end of her contract last summer.
But it isn't just money the supporters fear has influenced the decision.
Not forgetting the top scorer Parris, & FA Cup final goalscorers Williams and Garcia.It is just a HUGE mess. - Adam_Bateman (@Adam_Bateman_UK) June 26, 2024
Not a good look.
Absolutely no surprises that Mary Earps is leaving when there's stuff like this happening. https://t.co/LStMDRiu23
The club has faced huge backlash following their decision to move the female players into portable facilities for the benefit of the men's team whilst the Carrington Training Complex undergoes a reported PS50 million revamp. Admittedly not a great look for parity throughout the club.
Kick Off podcast host and producer, Bruno Quinney, reacted to the news by calling it "unbelievable" and claiming that the women's team "is going backwards" since Sir Jim Ratcliffe came in as co-owner.
"So much for a world-class sporting operation", he added, posing the valid question: "Why can't the serially underperforming men's team move into portable buildings?
Earps is yet to issue a statement on her imminent departure but she'll certainly be sorely missed by the United faithful.
Featured Images - James Boyes (via Flickr)
68-year-old raises nearly PS14k for The Christie in epic coastal trek
In a wholesome bit of news that has left us both moved and inspired, a 68-year-old Brit has raised nearly PS14,000 for The Christie Hospital in Manchester by completing a truly epic coastal journey.
Peter Walker, originally from Birmingham, was set to embark on the famous Land's End to John O'Groats challenge last year with his friend Nick Slevin, but sadly his walking partner's wife Carrie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and admitted to The Christie last year.
As a result, the journey had to be postponed but Walker still wanted to do his bit to try and raise some money in the meantime and so decided to take on a different challenge: the well-trodden but mammoth Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
For context, this designated National Trail runs for a whopping 186 meals and Pete managed to finish the whole thing alongside some special company earlier this month.
Peter starting at Amroth in the north.
The Witches' Cauldron near Ceibwr Bay Credit: Peter Walker/GoFundMe As if the distance wasn't enough - we're talking nearly 300km - the challenge was even more gruelling as the Pembrokeshire local had to train pretty intensely to be fit enough for the voyage and carry a 20kg backpack every step of the way, losing over a stone in weight during his preparation.
Climbing more than 10,000 metres in total (that's more than Everest by the way) 'r Pete lost lover 3kg during the walk itself, which started at Amroth towards the north of the route on 3 June.
So, why take this on? Well, his mate Nick, who recently retired from The Christie after 30 years of service, was a Professor of Oncology specialising in head and neck cancer and is still the Chair of The Christie Charity.
The pair met way back in 1973 whilst Nick was at medical school and have been firm friends ever since. They both sadly lost their fathers to cancer more than four decades ago and his partner Carrie is a well-known teacher in the Didsbury area and similarly experienced fell-walker.
To make things even more heartwarming, Pete, his wife Helen, Nick and Carrie were all able to reunite for the last leg and the finish line at St Dogmaels just under a fortnight later.
Speaking on the achievement, he said: "It was a challenging but wonderful experience taking on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and I learned a lot about backpacking after years of running and cycling... I'm extremely pleased to have been able to support The Christie, especially as they're looking after Carrie."
For many years Pete also organised and took part in the Tour of Pembrokeshire cycling event, so he's no slouch but to still be doing these kinds of challenges at 68 and all for a good cause right here in Greater Manchester, he has our utmost admiration.
If you can still donate to his fundraising page HERE if you want to help do your bit for a medical institution that does so much for our area.
Featured Images - The Christie (supplied)