If it fits, it sits. No, we’re not talking about LOLcat – rather, we’re examining the British penchant for ‘unique’ sandwich filling choices after they’ve come under attack by our American counterparts.
Americans mocking British food is not a new thing, it’s even woven into our popular culture. Sometimes our dishes confuse them (for example, the fact that Bury black pudding isn’t an actual pudding), whilst others simply disgust them.
Last December one user on Twitter went viral after mocking the iconic chip butty – causing a huge pile on as people rushed to either agree with Jack or to valiantly fight the chip butty’s corner.
Just learned about chip buttys, which is an English food that is literally just French fries in between two slices of bread. This is just making me so irrationally angry pic.twitter.com/O604faAR8K
Inevitably, this led to a bit of an online culture war as Brits were quick to sling back some criticism the other way: criticising ‘spray on’ cheese and Thanksgiving in a can whilst defending some true English staples.
One thing everyone seemed to agree on though, surprisingly, was the Wigan kebab. Chiming in on the debate, US publishers BuzzFeed had this to say:
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“Putting a pie in a bread roll is a brilliant idea.”
Curioser and curioser. The whole debate got us thinking, though, perhaps the Yanks do have a point. Perhaps some of our sandwich fillings are a bit weird.
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Not the chip butty, obviously, but some of them could be considered a bit questionable – even by British standards. So, for a bit of fun, we decided to list the best ones we could think of here.
Know of any others? Let us know over on Twitter @themancUK.
Saucy sandwiches
Tomato ketchup, or brown sauce? It has to be ketchup, surely. We also know some people who forgo the top slice and simply have a bit of ketchup on toast for breakfast.
Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw is reportedly a fan of this one, even marking his return to the drive time slot with a bespoke pot noodle sandwich cake back in 2018.
Also known as a pie barm or wigan kebab, this is a sandwich that’s truly unique. It also gets the nod of approval from Americans.
Jam sandwiches
To be honest, jam sandwiches have always felt a little bit lacking to us – especially when you’re digging their soggy, squashed remains out of the bottom of your school bag. We might have to agree with the Americans on this one.
The ultimate reminder that your grandparents lived through rationing.
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Corner shop sandwiches
Does anyone else actually have nightmares about unbranded rogue corner shop sarnies like this?? Who made it?? Who BUYS these?? Make it stop pic.twitter.com/bjwV6xdC2x
An elevated take on the sugar sandwich, the addition of granulated is not a question in our books. What is of the utmost importance, though, is whether you have yours smashed or sliced.
Beef and horseradish is an iconic combo, enough said. We’re surprised the Americans didn’t like this one, given the iconic moist maker episode in FRIENDS, we figured this was a thing.
The greatest of all time, the crisp butty is not to be messed with. Only to be eaten on the cheapest white bread, it’s the best of them all (in our humble opinion). One pub group in Manchester even has its own crisp butty menu, thank you very much.
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Manchester Metropolitan University announce landmark partnership with MCR Basketball
Danny Jones
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Manchester Basketball have detailed a renewed and landmark partnership that looks set to nurture the next generation of talent.
Joining forces with MMU, this is not only the latest effort by MCR Basketball to further invest in young players and grassroots sports here in Manchester, but yet another example of further education creating viable routes into the game for their sporting stars of the future.
While the two organisations already boast an established relationship, this next step in their continued teamwork should prove even more fruitful for both parties, as the still only recently relaunched local basketball side looks to raise its profile in the city.
Confirming their intent to further intertwine their youth development setup and plans to innovate pathways for players, representatives from both met to confirm the announcement this week.
🤝 New partnership to drive basketball innovation & develop future talent. @ManMetUni & Manchester Basketball have announced a new strategic partnership to advance research, education and development of basketball to inspire the next generation of talent. #RepTheCity
With existing coaching staff already working between the two and both of the male and female training camps based over at Platt Lane Sports Complex, it only feels like a natural fit.
Moreover, this increased collaboration between the two is also a promising prospect for MMU Sport, specifically, meaning much more than just the sharing of facilities at the likes of Platt Lane over in Fallowfield and the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue.
As well as pooled resources, this will also crucially create potential opportunities for those at the uni or preparing to graduate, including student internships and more.
Claire Bradbury, Manchester Basketball CEO, said in an official statement: “As basketball in Manchester enters a new era, we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
“This is a true collaboration bringing together elite, professional basketball and leading academic sports expertise to create opportunities that support the development of players, staff and students.
Together we are investing in the future of basketball to grow the game in our region and working to establish the city of Manchester and Manchester Basketball as one of the leading basketball hubs in Europe.”
Man Met are looking pitch-perfect for the region’s leading ‘college ball’ feeder club, to use more American terminology, already.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, MMU’s Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at the Institute of Sport, went on to say: “Basketball is entering an incredibly exciting period, with growing participation, investment and visibility across Europe.”
For example, as well as the Super League Finals having been held at the AO Arena, the city is also most notably hosting a regular season NBA fixture at Co-op Live – a historic moment, to say the least.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Manchester Basketball at such an important time and look forward to creating opportunities for our students”, she adds, “supporting innovation through research and helping to grow the game across Manchester and beyond.”
In other MMU Sport-related news, their very own ‘Visiting Professor’, who has only just retired from the professional circuit, is also set to fly the flag for the institution and disabled athletes across the country.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester Basketball/Peter Simmons)
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New Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces VAT cuts on household electricity bills over winter
Emily Sergeant
It’s been less than 24 hours since Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister, and he’s already announced his first measure.
After giving his first speech as Prime Minister outside the doors of Number 10 yesterday, where he said he intended to ‘give people some breathing space’ straight out the gate, it has now been announced that millions of households across the UK will benefit from immediate action to help with their electricity bills this winter.
The Government says it wants to address the cost of living crisis first and foremost, and will do this by tackling rising bills with a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, just in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.
This immediate action applies and is funded for this financial year.
The cost of this immediate action for this financial year is being funded from the £1.8bn Digital ID programme – which Burnham also announced he would be scrapping.
Any further action – including on funding for longer-term measures – will be taken at the Budget, alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast, and all decisions at that point will continue to be funded with the Government’s fiscal rules, it has been confirmed.
Cutting VAT on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October, and this is on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget.
All suppliers are expected to pass the VAT reduction on to all customers, including those on fixed tariffs.
Small businesses who qualify for the domestic energy VAT relief and are not registered for VAT, as well as charities and residential care homes eligible for the reduced rate, will also benefit.
“I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister. We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets, and bring back hope.”
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2021 
