Jack Grealish has surprised a young visually impaired fan by sending him a signed shirt and a personalised letter written in braille.
It’s fair to say that the Birmingham-born footballer has had quite the eventful week.
After playing an important part in winning the Champions League to help Manchester City complete the historic treble, the 27-year-old went on to properly let his hair down and celebrate in style at the team’s trophy parade, with his entertaining antics being shared all across social media, all before reporting for international duty with England only a few days later.
But even with his busy schedule, Grealish is known for always making time for his fans – as 10-year-old Ralph Mullineaux was lucky enough to find out last week.
The budding para footballer from Cornwall – who is severely visually impaired, and has recently starred in a TV advert for charity Guide Dogs – calls the Manchester City and England winger his “hero”, and admits that he even regularly wears his hair scraped back in a hairband like Grealish so that he can “be just like him”.
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As Ralph’s mum Georgina explained in a social media post, the youngster “really loves how Grealish understands disability”, especially as the footballer often “celebrates” and shares how much of an inspiration his younger sister, Hollie – who has cerebral palsy – is to him.
Jack Grealish with his younger sister Hollie, who has cerebral palsy / Credit: Jack Grealish (via Instagram)
Grealish is notably an ambassador for the Special Olympics, as well as being a long-time supporter of the Saving Lives and Children in Need charities.
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In a bid to let the footballer know how much of a role model he is to him and other young fans everywhere, Ralph decided to send a letter to Grealish written braille – and to his surprise, Grealish sent a personalised letter back, along with a signed Manchester City shirt.
The brilliant moment Ralph received the letter and shirt was caught on camera and shared to Instagram.
“Thank you so much to man of the moment who’s sent Ralph a signed shirt and a personalised letter,” Ralph’s mum Georgina wrote on Instagram.
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“Grealish is Ralph’s hero. Ralph wears his hair like Jack so he can be just like him… Ralph sent Jack a letter in Braille telling him how much of an amazing role model he is. As Ralph has a visual impairment, he really loves how Grealish understands disability and celebrates his sister who has cerebral palsy.
“Ralph was beyond thrilled to get a reply from his favourite footballer, and for it to be in braille, is just so special.
“It’s so nice to see how inclusive and kind Jack and Manchester City can be.”
It seems that the signed shirt and personalised letter from Grealish is just one of a handful of amazing things to have happened to Ralph already in 2023, as Georgina revealed that the 10-year-old has also been accepted onto the England Para Football VI Pathway programme, as well as becoming the star of a TV advert for Guide Dogs – which is a charity that has “helped him so much”.
After all his achievements so far this year, Ralph’s mum has admitted she is “so proud of him”.
A popular Manc streetwear brand is hosting a big festival to mark their fifth birthday
Danny Jones
Popular Manchester streetwear and footwear brand, CLINTS Inc., is hosting its first-ever festival to mark five whole years in fashion – and it’s going to be big.
The highly sought-after clothing and sneaker make started out from a bedroom in Moston and is now a premium label in British urban, skating, UK grime and hip-hop culture, having been worn by many famous names and welcoming even more through the door of their Deansgate shop.
Located in the ABC Buildings on Quay Street next to Spinningfields, the flagship CLINTS store opened back in 2022 and is much more than a place to buy some new drip: it’s a place that showcases art, music, and a whole sub-sect of shopping beyond just skate silhouettes and trendy trainers.
As hack as it might sound to some, wearing this brand comes along with immersing yourself in the wider style and scene; the very same scene being celebrated in tandem with their fifth birthday.
Not to tease you more than the company already has, but as you can see, details are scarce.
There is no lineup or even location for this festival… only a date.
CLINTS Fest (the inaugural one, at that) will take place on Saturday, 6 September – presumably at or around the 21-23 Quay Street site, but who knows?
Fans of the brand can sign up for the mailing list for the latest details, and pre-sale tickets are also available now, with a couple of clicks on the website revealing that the event is set to start at 12 noon and wrap up around 10:30pm.
If you’re interested, you can register your interest HERE.
Credit: The Manc Group
While you can expect the festival to be packed to the rafters with die-hard followers of all things CLINTS and streetwear, they’re not the only local indie holding a special one-off this month.
In fact, this weekend, a fellow trainer specialist who is still just starting out life in the fashion game but is already making waves reminiscent of their contemporaries.
Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of the journey and they’re the next Manc brand to become a national success story.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/CLINTS Inc (via Instagram)
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Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Emily Sergeant -
19th June 2023 
