Wythenshawe Town suffered their first defeat in nine games as their derby day rivals, Wythenshawe Amateurs claimed the bragging rights thanks to a goal from David Wright.
Wright scored after 20 minutes to put the visitors in front. It means the two clubs have swapped places in the league, with Ammies now in third place and Town in fifth.
The fixture, which saw a record crowd at Ericstan Park, was dedicated to anti-racist charity, Kick It Out.
Wythenshawe Town now meet Abbey Hulton for their final game of the season and Amateurs take on Barnton at home. It’s still possible for both Wythenshawe clubs to finish in the top four.
And there is everything to play for as well as local pride. Wythenshawe Town are currently in third place in the league, with Wythenshawe Amateurs just one point behind in fifth.
This season marks the 25-year anniversary of Kick It Out.
On its website, Wythenshawe Town said: “Having started as ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’ in 1993, Kick It Out has evolved into an organisation which – working alongside its partners The FA, the PremierLeague, the English Football League, The Professional Footballers’ Association, the League Managers Association and the Football Supporters’ Federation, among others – fights ALL forms of discrimination in the game we love.
“In the 2018/19 season and beyond, we want everyone involved in football to continue to campaign for equality and challenge discrimination, while playing a part in shaping a fair and inclusive future for everyone who loves the game.“
You can report discrimination to Kick It Out via their app, via email on report@kickitout.org, via their online reporting form on their website, or via freephone on 0800 169 9414.
An MP has called on the FA to show stronger leadership in the fight to kick racism out of football after Wythenshawe Town’s manager was suspended after he stood up to racist abuse at a match earlier this year.
Town manager, James Kinsey ordered his players off the field following racist comments to a player at the game against Rylands in January.
Mr Kinsey was fined and suspended for seven days at an FA hearing. The person who made the comments was also disciplined.
Kick It Out, football’s anti-discrimination campaign, said it was “extremely concerned” at reports that some grassroots clubs “have been facing fines for standing up to racist abuse received by their players”.
And yesterday, Wythenshawe MP, Mike Kane backed the club and the manager.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Kane said: “I am a lifelong Man City fan and a season ticket holder, so I am extraordinarily proud of what Raheem Sterling does on the pitch and his action on anti-racism off it.
“My wife and I are also fans of Wythenshawe Town. In January, the manager James Kinsey took the players off the pitch when the assistant referee was clearly racist to one of our players. That accusation against the assistant referee was subsequently proven and he faces a charge of disrepute, yet the club and the manager still face charges for leading the players off the pitch. Does the Minister agree that the FA needs to show more consistency and leadership on whether and when players should walk off the pitch and whether there should be fines for it?”
And Mr Kane was backed by sports minister, Mims Davies. She said: “I absolutely agree. The FA needs to review its rules and guidance to enable clubs to be effective and consistent in these situations. As we have heard, ultimately we are talking about a workplace, where people should not be subjected to abuse but supported either to walk away or to stand up to it.”
Wythenshawe Town chairman Chris Eaton said the decision to sanction the manager was “appalling”.
He told the BBC: “We don’t think he [Mr Kinsey] did anything wrong… so why should we suffer?”
An Independent Regulatory Commission delivered its verdict on Tuesday that the charge against the assistant referee of “‘aggravated’ breach of FA Rule E3” was proven.