The 48-year-old former Manchester United winger has stepped down with immediate effect from his role as manager of the Welsh national football team.

Giggs had already stepped back from the position after being arrested in November 2020 which lead to charges of using controlling behaviour and assault of his former partner.

In a statement, Giggs said:

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"After much consideration, I am standing down from my position as manager of the Wales men's national team with immediate effect.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to manage my country, but it is only right that the Wales FA, the coaching staff and the players prepare for the tournament with certainty, clarification and without speculation around the position of their head coach."

 "I do not want the country's preparations for the World Cup to be affected, destabilised or jeopardised in any way by the continued interest around this case.

"I am sad that we cannot continue this journey together because I believe that this extraordinary group will make the country proud at our first World Cup since 1958.

"It is my intention to resume my managerial career at a later date."

 

Wales recently won a vital play-off final against Ukraine under the guidance of interim manager Robert Page, which  propelled the team to their first world cup appearance in 64-years.

Giggs has plead not guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour against his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.

He has also plead not guilty to assaulting Ms Greville causing her actual bodily harm, along with the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley on 1st of November 2020.

The trial has been set for August 8th after an initial setback due to lack of court space.

Class of 92 backed charity, Foundation 92 has launched this new initiative through the support of Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, Street Games, Tameside Council and Trafford Council.

The programme is aimed at supporting young people based in Salford, Trafford and Tameside to reduce risk taking behaviour that could result in serving time in prison or being placed in detention centres.

This programme will provide bespoke wrap around care, advice, guidance, and support for some of Greater Manchester’s most vulnerable young people, helping them to develop their confidence, resilience, and the ability to transition into wider community education and employment, through the vehicle of football.

As part of this new initiative, Foundation 92 recently launched a new VRU programme at the Albion Academy and in the Seedley and Langworthy areas. The aim of this strand of the programme is to disrupt risk taking behaviour at the earliest possible stage, enabling young people to make more positive and informed decisions around their conduct in the community.

The Foundation also set up a mentoring programme in Trafford and Tameside, with the aim of supporting young people who have been identified as being most at risk of participating in serious violent offending, using sport as a vehicle to embed positive behaviour change within often chaotic and unsustainable lifestyles.

Each delivery strand links directly into Foundation 92’s wider youth work offer, such as; the charities Premier League Kicks programme, ensuring young people have a clear and defined pathway into open access community provision.

Head of Foundation 92, Tom Hutton said:

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“Launching and continuing to develop Foundation 92’s community mentoring offer is hugely important to support vulnerable young people who are at risk of committing offences that could result in time served in prison. We are delighted that we can work alongside a range of specialist partners and deliver this programme to young people who will really benefit from the support.

“We are also hugely grateful to have a number of employment partners on board, helping young people transition into quality employment outcomes and we hope other businesses will come forward and offer opportunities for those taking part in our programme.”

 

The scheme will be operating across Salford and Greater Manchester.

Foundation 92 focuses on supporting people to improve their lives through sport and education, with an emphasis on positive physical and mental wellbeing. It was founded in 2018 by Manchester United’s Class of 92.

Hello! Hello!, We are the Busby Boys..Hello! Hello! was the loud, raucous chant coming from the roof garden of The Old Nags Head pub on Jacksons Row, Manchester as I walked up from Deansgate to the Annual Stretford Enders Worldwide Reunion, 2022, it was also the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation who organised the day.

This fabulous pub is the headquarters of the fanatical supporters of the world famous club and has seen this reunion for the past six years and this was the first since the Covid outbreak and the boys were up for celebrating and they did in style.

It was rammed with several hundred fans all determined to make up for last time, Manchester United flags from all over the country were draped over the walls, and it was great to see some of the, how shall we say "older Reds" had gotten into retro mood, the occasional white butchers coats with the proper Manchester United crest,,,the one with football club on it! painted on the back, Wrangler denim jacket were worn complete with sewn on patches from the Doc's Red Army Years, scarves that looked like they had seen "action" on many a football terrace.

I made my way to the rooftop garden and was met by about a 100 or so Reds belting out songs, some I hadn't heard for years, The Son of a Fisherman song, "A Fine day in May, We are the Manchester Boys, Skip to my Lou Macari...which was fitting because Lou made a guest appearance and spoke to the adoring fans crammed into an upstairs room, so full I couldn't get in!

I have a great affection for Lou, not just the goals he scored for us but the amazing charity work he does with homeless people, I raise my glass of Guinness, Sir!

I went along with Billy Tunnicliffe and Dave Cribben, two Eccles Reds who have travelled the world supporting the team and it was great to see so many faces there and listen to the tales, sadly mostly unprintable for fairly obvious reasons, you know who you are...

But what a perfect day sat in the sun, surrounded by fellow Reds belting out the songs, and a great musical soundtrack being piped out, Smiths, Joy Division, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Charlatans, reminiscent of an away day when local pubs were taken over by fanatical Reds.

One of the other highlights if that is the correct word was seeing a few fellow Reds had brought their charge sheets with them, from the days when they had been nicked at away games, not naming the people.

I spoke to fellow Reds who had travelled from, Weymouth, Newquay, London, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Coventry all "united" by their love of the club and it's traditions, and I received messages from Reds who couldn't make it for various reasons but were there in spirit

Big thanks must go out to Steve "Dono" Donoghue for starting this event, and Melissa MooMoo and MMMF who arranged this year, once again, Sean Brett the Landlord who provided a free buffet and also made sure that the extra bar staff ensured no queues at the bar, the boys who made the flags and above all, You the fans who turned up and let your voices be heard over Manchester

Finally I think it's fair to say that we were all agreed one thing.. the Glazer family should go and we, the fans want our club back!

Salford City Football Club has made an announcement after it was made aware of a scamming network that has been illegally using the Club’s name and brand for fraudulent purposes.

Communications that may look like the below do not originate from the Club, and should be reported to the police Action Fraud Team.

The scam has also included alleged WhatsApp conversations with ‘Agent Football’, and a request to pay a sum of money before arrival for a trial.

The club advises that this is not how they conduct their business, and never will. 

It has been reported to the Action Fraud Team and the EFL, and they are working closely with both to make sure no one is affected. They are currently aware of two cases, both of which have thankfully been stopped before any monies were transferred. 

If you ever receive a communication claiming to be from the Club or a Club representative that you are unsure about, you can always contact them to verify or report it either:

– in person at the ticket office,
– by email,
– or through our official social media channels.

Furthermore if you have any further information about this scam, please contact the club via enquiries@salfordcityfc.co.uk

Saturday’s weather postponed game against Crawley Town has been rearranged to be held at The Peninsula Stadium on Tuesday 29th March, KO 19:45.

It will be a third home game in 11 days at the end of March for The Ammies, preceded by the visits of Scunthorpe United (19/3/22) and Walsall (26/3/22).

Ticket for the original fixture will remain valid.

If you are unable to make the rearranged date, and purchased a match ticket, please click here for refund information.

Match tickets will also go back on sale in the next couple of weeks.

In case you missed it, their postponed game against Port Vale has been rearranged for Tuesday 5th April, KO 19:45.