A charity football match is set to be held to raise funds for a statue in honour of legendary Manc boxer, Len Johnson, widely considered one of the greatest fighters to never be crowned a champion.
Len Johnson is one of the most inspiring yet saddest sporting tales you’ll ever come across. Born in Clayton (the former home of Manchester United‘s precursor club Newton Heath) back in 1902, Len Johnson was a British boxer who famously won 96 fights throughout his remarkable 135-bout career.
However, it was a career that was cruelly limited and hamstrung by outdated and racist laws, as according to a piece of legislation known as ‘Rule 24’, (a.k.a ‘the colour bar’), Johnson could not compete for a title as he did not have two white parents.
Despite the painful history behind his life, the light-heavyweight is often referred to as ‘Manchester’s best ever boxer‘, perhaps even Britain’s, and now famous faces from within the sport and beyond are looking to raise money for his long overdue statue and recognition.
Teaming up with FC United and a team of Legends, boxing icons Ricky Hatton and Anthony Crolla, as well as a horde of celebrities from the likes of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and more are lacing up their boots for a charity match this May.
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Aiming to raise enough money to pay for the statue of Johnson, Manchester’s uncrowned boxing champion, the players will be facing off in the Moston-based semi-pro team’s home ground at Broadhurst Park.
With numerous sponsors already signed up and even more famous faces set to join the charity match, both coverage of the event and knowledge of Johnson’s story has increased.
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With documentaries made in his honour now being selected for the Paris Film Awards and more people learning of Len’s legacy, the turnout for the game and its attached fundraiser looks like it’s going to be massive.
Johnson died in Oldham back in 1974 at the age of 71 and while we will always wonder what could have been if he was allowed to fight officially, his impact both on boxing, Manchester and sport at large will never be forgotten.
As well as helping black sailors sacked by a shipping company keep their jobs, staging several protests outside a pub in Hulme after he refused service, he also served in WWII and helped organise the 5th Pan African Congress over decolonisation, held here in Manchester. He wasn’t just a boxer, he was a hero.
As campaign lead Lamin Touray told ITV, he believes “the Len Johnson story has been kept from us purposely” and erecting a statue of him, pride of place in the city centre, will not only help people learn the tale of this remarkable man, but it’s what he and his family deserve.
Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.