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SIR Kevin Sinfield among list of local names officially recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026

Including plenty more sporting personalities.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 15th June 2026

While many individuals were already public knowledge, we’re made up to hear that SIR Kevin Sinfield has now finally received his long-overdue knighthood, and he’s not the only recognisable local and/or beloved famous face to have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2026.

There are so many worthy names on the list, but it goes without saying that the ‘Sir Kev’ campaign is one that countless have been flying the flag for rather high over the past few years.

Sinfield, 45, is not only a rugby league and England legend, but he has warmed hearts across the country and beyond through his superhuman ‘7 in 7’ ultramarathon efforts on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in recent times, all in memory of his old teammate and best friend: the late, great Rob Burrow.

Following his 2014 MBE, OBE in 2021, and CBE in ’23, we struggle to think of anyone more deserving of the accolade than the Oldham native, to be honest; here he is talking about the great privilege earlier this month:

Hero, legend, inspiration – these words don’t even begin to cut it.

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That being said, he’s not the only ex-sportsman with a crucial Greater Manchester connection to have been honoured this year, as former Scotland international and Manchester United player Lou Macari (who still has a chippy in his name right near the ground) has also been made an MBE.

While Sinfield was recognised for services to sport and charity, 77-year-old Macari has been awarded the accolade for his work helping the homeless across not just the North West but all over the country.

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Setting up the Macari Foundation back in 2016 and creating vital shelters, fundraising and support schemes – not to mention being involved in various other adjacent charitable initiatives such as the now annual Old Trafford Stadium Sleepout – it’s a cause he’s backed for more than a decade now.

Put quite simply, he’s helped change people’s lives for the better and save them full-stop.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Monday, 15 June, the Stoke-on-Trent-based, legendary Celtic centre-forward and retired Red was visibly humbled by what could arguably now be his most treasured medal.

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As for other names this year, several Lionesses were also featured as part of the list for 2026, including Euros winners Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, both of whom also previously played for Manchester City and Man United, respectively.

Fellow WSL stars Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton and Lauren James also joined the duo, along with a quintet of other national team players who were given MBEs as part of King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List, with the prior official ceremony taking place last month.

One of those names, most notably for Mancs, was Tyldesley’s very own Ella Toone, another MUWFC star who has also shone under England Women’s manager Sarina Wiegman.

You can find the full Birthday Honours List right HERE.

Manchester United and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE
‘Tooney’ is just the latest in a long line of lionised Lionesses.

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Featured Images — Gerard Barrau (Wikimedia Commons)/Raph_PH (via Flickr)/BBC Breakfast (screenshot)

News

Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.

It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.

Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.

She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.

At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.

Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.

“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.

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Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)

News

Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Abusali Rahman mugshot

A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.

Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.

The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Former Greater Manchester school supply teacher pleads guilty to several child sex offences

Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).

GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.

Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.

The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.

Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.

GMP police car
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP

Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.

“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.

“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.

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“Any abuse of a position of authority is deplorable, and against children is especially heinous. I am glad he is now behind bars.”

Featured Image – GMP

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