The world of Padel is becoming one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet and that momentum isn’t only getting bigger as it has now been revealed that the largest Padel facility anywhere in the North is set to be built right in Greater Manchester.
Although there are already a few places to play the increasingly popular tennis spin-off, including Deansgate Square’s Club de Padel – the first dedicated space for the sport anywhere in Manchester – this latest addition to the Manc sports circuit will be the biggest of its kind outside of London.
After plans were officially approved on Monday, 8 April, The Padel Club’s brand-new location is set to land in Trafford by the end of 2024, with construction set to start this summer.
The announcement also accompanied a slate of new CGIs from developers Peel Waters, giving us a glimpse of what the new 11-court and multi-purpose facility will look like.
Consisting of nine indoor courts, these being the first to open in the region, two open-air playing surfaces as well as leisure offerings including food and drink spaces, an integrated gym area and an exclusive clubhouse to chill in, the aim looks to be encouraging players spend hours on end here.
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Currently based out of Wilmslow and with Padel having recently landed at the likes of South Manchester Sports Club over in Gatley, The Padel Club’s expansion in Trafford marks a huge step forward for the discipline as they look to take shape in one of the North’s biggest sporting hubs.
Kristopher Ball, founder and chief executive at the brand, said of the announcement: “We are incredibly excited to expand our Padel Club to the vibrant grounds of TraffordCity.
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“This new facility marks a pivotal moment for us, and we look forward to welcoming both seasoned players and newcomers to experience the joy of Padel in this world-class destination.”
Trafford Council signed off the £2.5m redevelopment of the 1.5-acre site this week as the new development promises to be a major new venue not only for sport, but health and socialising, not to mention benefitting economic growth and providing new jobs for the local area.
Original investors in Padel include past and present sportsmen Michael Vaughan, England cricket legend Jos Butler, as well as ex-Man City stars and Premier League veterans James Milner and Shay Given.
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Former national team captain turned commentator, Vaughan, said of the new development: “This is going to be fantastic. I’m delighted to be involved with The Padel Club and so pleased that TraffordCity has been given the go-ahead.
“I can’t wait for the Padel community to grow”, he added. “In my humble opinion, Padel is the best sport that incorporates all abilities, all ages and is so much fun.” We can’t lie, we’ve had a few people in the office get involved of late too and we’re becoming firm fans ourselves.
Details of huge Manchester City parade through city centre announced
Daisy Jackson
The victorious Manchester City will be taking to the streets in the city centre once again to celebrate their historic four-in-a-row achievement.
Details of this year’s parade have just been announced, travelling from the National Football Museum and along Deansgate.
An open-top bus will carry the team and their winners’ silverware through town on Sunday, marking their unprecedented fourth Premier League victory in a row.
If previous years are anything to go by, thousands of fans will flood to the city centre to celebrate with Manchester City when they hit the streets on 26 May.
This also happens to be the same day as the Great Manchester Run, so Manchester is expected to be extremely busy.
After tens of thousands of runners cross the finish line on Deansgate, the space will be readied for the Manchester City Parade, which will take place from 7.30pm until around 9pm.
There’ll be a number of road closures in place on Sunday for both the race and the parade.
The Blues are the first ever male team since the inception of the Football League in 1888 to win four successive championships.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Congratulations to Manchester City. Being crowned premier league champions once again and for an astonishing fourth year in a row is an incredible achievement by the club and its players, showing once again that Manchester’s world class sporting credentials really are second to none.
“We know how much this means to fans of the club young and old – not just in Manchester but around the globe – and the homecoming parade on Sunday promises to be an unmissable night to remember for fans and players alike as they celebrate this historic title win together.”
A list of road closures over the weekend in connection with the Great Manchester Run is already available online at manchester.gov.uk/roadclosures and will be added to ahead of the weekend with any further road closures deemed necessary in order to facilitate the Manchester City parade.
Pep Guardiola admits he will miss Jürgen Klopp ‘a lot’ as Liverpool boss leaves club after nine years
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confessed he will miss fellow coach and long-time rival Jürgen Klopp as he officially left Liverpool after nearly a decade this weekend.
The German football manager, who ended the Scousers’ 30-year wait for a first-division title and won them two more European cups, departed the club after nine years on Sunday following the final day of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Having been given an emotional send-off by the Anfield faithful and delivering a heartfelt speech to the city he’s come to call “home”, Guardiola was obviously asked his thoughts on his final chapter in his post-match press conference.
While the focus was obviously on winning a record fourth league title in a row, a visibly emotional Pep did go on to admit, “I will miss him a lot”.
🗣️ "I will miss him a lot. Jurgen has been a really important part of my life."
Pep Guardiola CLOSE TO TEARS talking Jurgen Klopp, & not because his farewell overshadowed Man City winning the league. 😉
Clearly moved by the question and by taking in the years they’ve shared on the touchline, the 53-year-old said of his former Premier League and Bundesliga rival: “Jurgen has been a really important part of my life. He’s [taken] me to another level as a manager. I think we respect each other incredibly”.
He went on to add, “I have the feeling he’ll be back and I just want to say thank you so much for his words… he knows personally that behind me there a lot of things that this club provides me… he’s helped me with him and he’s been a huge competitor in my life”.
Even speaking prior to the game, Pep was already full of admiration for his opposite number, telling Sky Sports last week that not only will he miss Klopp but going so far as to claim that “football needs him, as well as naming his teams amongst those who he often struggled to unlock.
Safe to say the home crowd gave him a momentous send-off in his final appearance as the Liverpool manager, though he made certain he’ll be back to visit the city and Anfield again in the future.
Liverpool looked like he might be able to keep his side in the title fight right until the last but it ultimately went on to become a two-horse race, with the Blues beating him and Arsenal to the post once again.
Whether you’re behind ‘enemy lines’ here in Manchester or you’re just curious to hear what he said, you can watch Klopp’s farewell speech in full down below.
Regardless of the rivalries, you have to admit, it’s been great to watch the two coaches duke it out for the best part of a decade.
We’re sure Pep isn’t the only one in Manchester that’ll miss Klopp. Whoever you support, he’s been a massive character in English football.