Stockport is getting ready to leap back into action this summer as the fan-favourite frogs are set to hop to the town centre once again.
With an “irreversible” roadmap for lifting lockdown now in place, the Greater Manchester borough is hoping that the return of its gigantic multi-coloured frogs will help to see in the post-pandemic era and welcome visitors back to the town centre.
The town first welcomed the amphibious attractions two years ago.
Organised by Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID) – branded as Totally Stockport – the Giant Leap Frog Art Trail attracted thousands of visitors from across the region, and children of all ages had great fun seeking out all 19 giant frogs.
This year though, as Stockport looks to “build back better”, there will be even more of them.
This summer’s Gigantic Leap Frog Art Trail will see 21 brand-new gigantic frogs hopping into, not just the town centre, but also to locations throughout the whole borough.
Paul Taylor – Manager at Stockport BID – has admitted that he is delighted the frogs will once again be on display in the heart of the town, adding: “To say it’s been a difficult 12 months for everyone is the understatement of the decade,
“Having worked so hard over the past four years to promote all the great changes taking place here and encourage more people to visit the town centre more often, it’s been heartbreaking to see so many businesses forced to close during lockdown and the centre all but deserted, but it’s time to plan for the reopening,
“And what better way than with another brilliant trail that’s even bigger and better than before”.
Councillor David Meller – Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council – has also hailed the return of the frogs, adding: “I’m delighted that the frogs will be leaping back into Stockport.
“They certainly got everyone talking when they were last here, with people visiting from across Greater Manchester.
“The fact that they will be seen throughout the borough for even more people to enjoy is even better and will, we hope, get people hopping around the borough to sample everything we have to offer.”
In 2019, the trail boosted footfall in the town centre by nearly 20pc over the summer, while the auctioning of frogs raised more than £30,000 for the Tree House Children’s ward at Stepping Hill Hospital, and this year, local businesses will have the opportunity to get involved and sponsor a frog – with all proceeds being donated to St Ann’s Hospice.
This year’s Giant Leap Frog Art Trail will run from July to September, and more details will be revealed soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
👉 Stockport Frogs are Back 👈
➡️ Stockport’s Gigantic Leap frog art trail returns
Know a business, group or initiative interested in sponsoring a frog this year? You can contact [email protected] for more information.
Further announcements ahead of the frogs’ arrival can be found here.
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Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2021 
