A police dog who’s been working hard to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe for over half a decade has now hung up his lead.
After seven years of service, springer spaniel Hugo has recently retired from the all-important role of sniffer dog with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and the force has now paid a worthy homage to their loyal four-legged former team member.
Born into the GMP family back in 2015 and following in the footsteps of his dad Max, the eight-year-old was an integral part of numerous seizures of drugs, cash, and firearms during his time with GMP, and had some “huge finds” in cars, buildings, on the Metrolink, and even at Manchester Airport too.
Hugo was nicknamed ‘Huge’ by his handler when they first became a team seven years ago, and the two bonded straight away.
#NEWS | “He served me and has been my best mate for seven years. It’s my job to look after him in retirement.”
A homage to recently retired police dog Hugo, who served Greater Manchester Police for seven years
The pair began their journey in 2016 searching for tennis balls, before moving onto train stations and buildings with different surfaces to get the little pup ready for his initial eight-week police dog training course, which is what set him up for everything he’s done throughout his stellar career.
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But as the years went on, Hugo’s handler started to pick up on some signs that it might be time for him to call it a day.
“To be honest, he told me,” Hugo’s handler admitted.
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“I started to notice him slowing down on searches, not as eager, not as desperate to jump in the car to go to work, and it was just that bond that you have, and you sort of notice – but thankfully, we read the signs.
“We all decided he’s done us proud, he’s done his time, and it’s time to let him enjoy retirement.”
Now-retired police dog Hugo with his handler / Credit: GMP
After his impressive career, Hugo was rewarded what GMP calls the “traditional way” by celebrating his years of services at the pub, and he now enjoys a life of leisure living as pet dog with his handler.
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While taking on a former police dog can make the handler’s role harder, Hugo’s handler says he wouldn’t have it any other way, as it’s something he loves and enjoys, adding that he’s “thankful” he’s even been given the opportunity to offer the pup a loving home.
“He served me and has been my best mate for seven years,” Hugo’s handler said, “so it’s my job to look after him in retirement.”
Featured Image – GMP
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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 -
9th October 2023 
