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AJ Handley-Rowe - 10th November 2021

Morrissey claims sole credit for The Smiths’ iconic Salford Lads’ Club photo shoot idea

Danny Jones

Morrissey claims 'sole' credit for The Smiths' Salford Lads club photo shoot

Morrissey is once again raising the issue of credit and disputes over The Smiths’ legacy, as the controversial former frontman has now claimed that their iconic photo shoot outside of Salford Lads’ Club was entirely his idea.

The 66-year-old lead singer turned solo star from Urmston is no stranger to sparking debates and attracting controversy, and it seems his latest is to do with one of the most iconic images in British music history, let alone just Greater Manchester.

Writing an official statement on his website, which has since been shared across social media, even the Salford Lads and Girls’ Club have seen fit to repost the message.

Put simply, he says, “it was solely my idea”.

MORRISSEY HAS SPOKEN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/RTVJGM9L3l
— Salford Lads' Club (@salfordladsclub) April 12, 2026

The Davyhulme-born bard and divisive artist goes on to claim that the other co-founding members of the iconic Manc band initially viewed as more of his “lunacy” – the suggestion seemingly being (as it often is with Morrissey) that they simply didn’t understand the ‘genius’ at the time.

Many of his most die-hard fans still believe that most don’t and never will.

He even jokes that, in another life, it could very well have been something entirely different and random, such as the Kellogg’s factory in Trafford, basically suggesting that other members would have simply followed suit.

In his words, he argues that “now millions of people come from all over the world to be photographed on that very spot, it is claimed as a Smiths idea. It wasn’t, it isn’t, and it never shall be.”

Once again, this is by no means the first time he’s called into question, ‘who did what’ and/or who owns what bit of intellectual property; in fact, there was apparently another one of these instances with Johnny Marr only recently.

A special The Smiths reissue was cancelled due to a dispute between Morrissey and Johnny Marr

Oh, what could have been…

‘Moz’ and Marr have been at loggerheads pretty much ever since the group disbanded back in 1987, and still look to be far away from seeing eye to eye on virtually anything.

It was only back in September 2024 that his fellow former bandmate had to deny claims that he’d acquired ‘100% of the rights to The Smiths IP and could tour under the name without ‘The Pope of Mope’ himself.

One thing’s for sure: whatever part of the past Mozza will bring up next remains a mystery, but as always, at least we’ve always got the tunes.

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Featured Images — Printerval/dullhunk/Christoph!(via Flickr)

Kobbie Mainoo’s new Manchester United contract is edging closer

Danny Jones

Kobbie Mainoo new contract extension Man United

Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract is creeping ever closer, manager Michael Carrick has suggested.

Ahead of Man United playing their first game in 24 days, supporters will take any positive news they can get, with the club having now shared the update regarding Mainoo extending his stay.

Following Carrick’s pre-match press conference before Monday night’s clash against old rivals, Leeds United, the Red Devils boss intimated that things are moving in the right direction, though he wouldn’t give any categorical confirmation whether or not a full agreement has been reached quite yet.

Here’s what he had to say:

"At the moment, we're in a good place."

A promising update on Kobbie's contract situation ⬇️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 13, 2026

“Obviously, we’d like to think so, yeah, and it’s getting closer, so we’re positive with that”, said the 44-year-old coach.

He went on to add: “We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it. Time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we’re in a good place with it.” You can hear his full response on the matter in the second part of his most recent presser right HERE.

As per multiple outlets earlier this month, Mainoo’s is reportedly set to see a huge increase in his salary if the numbers are to be believed.

Compared to the current £25,000 a week he is currently earning – staggering sums, sure, but a drop in the ocean when it comes to football money – he is set to earn nearly five times that amount if/when new terms are finalised.

It looked as though the Stockport-born academy product England prospect was on the verge of leaving under Ruben Amorim, as he somehow struggled to get into the side; now, though, it’s safe to say he looks to be steadily getting back on track under the former United midfielder.

With a rumoured £120k weekly package, this will see the 20-year-old earn a much more competitive wage that’s arguably more on a par with his teammates.

As not only one of their promising youth products but also already perceived to be one of their most talented first-team stars (making his senior debut in January 2023), many would argue that the extension of the present deal, which runs until 2027, is long overdue.

Said to be on the verge of penning the new contract, which is expected to see him stay until at least 2031, an official announcement would come as an added bonus for fans should they return to the pitch with a win over Leeds.

As for other transfer business, Man United have been linked with yet another midfielder ahead of the incoming summer window – though this one would be a more offensive and perhaps ambitious bit of recruitment…