Mancunian basketball fans can rejoice, as Manchester’s basketball scene, though still the subject of much uncertainty, is set to survive – just maybe not quite as you know it.
They might currently be known as the Manchester Giants, but the city’s biggest professional basketball team are looking like they are about to take on a whole new identity in the newly formed top-flight division, simply entitled Super League Basketball.
At one point, it looked unclear as to whether a pro division would even continue here in Greater Manchester or the UK as a whole, for that matter, after the British Basketball Federation revoked the British Basketball League’s license in July following concerns regarding the operators’ finances.
Manchester’s male and female squads have been sold to the American-based private portfolio, Sherwood Family Investment Office.
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The equity group invests in a variety of global projects and is now looking to bring an innovative and creative approach to the Manc basketball outfit.
Although it remains unclear as to what exactly this will look like for the club we know as the Giants at present, it’s being reported that the SLB Manchester team will likely be a whole new entity and brand.
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Now led by chief executive officer Ned Sherwood, who boasts more than 40 years of experience at a large equity firm, and president Ben Pierson, it’s pretty much starting from a clean slate.
Even the current Giants administration themselves have confessed in a transparent update to fans on social media: “It is not clear at this time if the Giants name will remain”. The post also detailed that Dominique Allen, the club’s former operations manager, has now been promoted to head of operations.
A fascinating first introduction to the new Super League basketball…
No @PlymCityPatriot – team has confirmed it will not be operating in goodbye statement
"Manchester" – Giants have been sold to an American investment group and will likely rebrand, per Hoopsfix https://t.co/0vWXbdAbxF
Speaking on the acquisition, Sherwood explains: “The new energy of the league is palpable. We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting turning point in professional basketball in Great Britain.
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“The goal over my career has been to find or build high-quality businesses with top-level management teams. As partners, we work tirelessly to help our businesses achieve long-term success. We look forward to developing a sustainable, elite franchise for Manchester.”
The new owners have also promised that the female team won’t be overlooked and will be “continuing in their elite competition.”
Since entering the previous top-flight division back in 2012, now formerly known as the BBL, it’s fair to say the Giants have somewhat struggled to live up to the hype of the city’s historic sports teams and the wider culture embedded within them.
In fact, the Manchester Giants only had one season in which they played above .500 basketball (win as many games as you lose) which came under head coach Lloyd Carner in the 2021-22 post-Covid cancellation year, finishing with a record 14-13.
The Giants warming up against the Caledonia Giants in December 2023. (Credit: DaHuzyBru via Wikimedia Commons)
Frustratingly, Manchester is also home to the Magic and Mystics, one of the best youth basketball programmes anywhere in the UK. Both have won more than 50 national titles since 2000, developing heaps of internationals in that time.
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Furthermore, the club runs a thriving Academy basketball scheme, that competes in the EABL (Elite Academy Basketball League) and WEABL (Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League).
This is the premier junior basketball competition in the UK and features a Diploma in Sporting Excellence pathway, hosting the very top under-19 programmes in the country. Yet, it seems, that little of this vital grassroots work has translated onto the senior court for Manchester basketball fans.
Nevertheless, with a wealthy pool and youth talent and these feeder programmes, this could be the time for the professional team to join the ride and take off. Manchester’s basketball scene is Super League-ready, it just needs a push, proper backing and the right infrastructure.
Matthew Goodwin has been racking them up for Manchester Magic in the EABL all season – last night he got his first points in BBL play for Manchester Giants 👊
— Academy Basketball England (@academybballeng) February 4, 2024
As per Hoopsfix, President Pierson went on to add in a statement: “Manchester is a world-class city for sport and culture. We aim to bring the Manchester franchise back to the level it belongs – competing for trophies for the city.
“Basketball in Manchester is an integral part of schools, youth, and culture. It is imperative that we restore stability throughout the franchise, and grow our partnerships throughout the community. We look forward to delivering on this through our actions, not just our words.”
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Pierson is correct; Manchester has fantastic youth basketball, is home to the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue, and boasts world-class teams and athletes across various disciplines, as well as being one of the most diverse and multicultural rich sporting capitals on the planet.
Adding pro-ball into the mix would only serve as more proof in the pudding.
Who knows for how long the Manchester Giants will be the name we know are ballers by? All we know is we’re glad the game isn’t leaving 0161 any time soon. Stay posted for more details on Super League Basketball’s upcoming debut season and the next iteration of Manchester’s premier basketball team.
Featured Images — Manchester Giants (supplied)/Super League Basketball
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Pep Guardiola signs new contract to stay at Manchester City until 2027
Danny Jones
Blues will be delighted to hear that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is staying after agreeing to sign a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2027.
The Catalan coach and supremely talented tactician has won all there is to win with Man City and after completing not only a record-matching treble but making history by becoming the first English team to win four Premier League titles in a row, you could argue his Etihad project is well and truly completed.
Guardiola, who joined City back in 2016, has gradually been creeping towards the end of his most recent contract, leaving those slowly searching for his replacement and the fan base wondering what the future holds for their next chapter.
But it turns out they don’t have to worry about life after Pep for a little while longer, as the 53-year-old has now extended his stay for another two seasons. The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester for the best part of a decade isn’t going anywhere just yet.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, who is comfortably one of the most decorated and celebrated coaches in football history, was due to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.
However, although his contract would have seen him depart by June of next summer, this new deal will now see him stay in post until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, which will see him surpass the 10-year mark and then some.
It’s the news all Blues have been waiting for and an announcement that will no doubt come as a huge relief given the immense success he has brought to East Manchester.
Despite waiting until now to seemingly decide his future, the man himself has actually been pretty clear on the matter, insisting that he “fell in love” with the club from the moment he got here and saying as far back as 2020 that “unless they [CFG] sack me, I will stay here.”
Speaking in an official statement, Guardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.”
Man City fans will honour Pep with a banner which reads in Catalan, 'we want you to stay'…
"They'll have to bring me the bill. I will pay the bank. I don't want them to spend money for that reason. I feel in love since the first day I came here." 🥺
Better still, while the details of the agreement are yet to be fully detailed, it is thought that the new contract still includes an option to extend for an extra year, meaning we could be looking at Pep in Premier League dugouts even longer.
Should City go on to close the gap on current league leaders Liverpool, it would mean Guardiola would have overseen five title wins with the same team in a row: a feat only matched by very few in European football, most notably Juventus and Bayern Munich, the latter having managed 13 consecutive years.
Who knows if/when Guardiola will actually leave the Etihad Stadium for a new challenge, all we know is he changed modern football forever and has given Manchester – a city already spoilt in this respect – some of the most impressive football it’s ever seen.
All we do know is that the beautiful game’s passionate, bald, tiki-taka extraordinaire known simply as Pep is staying in 0161 for the time being and there are countless fans who are absolutely buzzing about it.
Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.
News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.
The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a period of illness, with a member of the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.
Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.
Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/8rLcL10N2Ipic.twitter.com/dkEmCSU1vl
Just heard a top blue Tommy Muir has passed away. Met Tommy years ago, he helped me out with tickets down the years, we shared a few laughs and pints. He gave me this plaque after he rescued it from Maine Road and is something I'll always treasure. RIP Tommy #trueblue 💙⚽ pic.twitter.com/jfbFLfZCKS
By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.
There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.
Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.
Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Speaking to The Manc, General Secretary of City’s Official Supporters Club, Kevin Parker told us: Tommy was a blue through and through and 100% committed to The Supporters Club at Cheadle and its members.
“I have known Tommy for over 30 years and no one deserved the recent success the club has had more than him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and fondly remembered. He will still be watching our wonderful club from the Blue Stands in the Sky telling anyone who disrespects his Club to ‘do one'”
Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.
Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.
Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.
“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”
“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”
Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.
Blake Keeble -
22nd August 2024 
