Pep Guardiola is a man with influence and has been somewhat of a style icon since joining Manchester City and the Premier League back in 2016 – and his latest fashion choice has fans everywhere in football talking.
His recent touchline uniform has come in the form of a jumper which dons a melted Manchester City badge, but while millions assume that the obscure badge is simply a printing error, there is actually a lot of history behind it.
The jumper, which comes in black as well as grey, is part of a deal between Manchester City, Puma and JD, but is spearheaded by legendary fashion brand founders Anthony and Christopher Donnelly.
The Manchester-born Donnelly brothers recently released their MDCR clothing collection, which celebrates the generation-defining indie-dance scene that put Manchester on the map and took the world by storm – something that the Donnelly brothers were an instrumental part of. MDCR is an abbreviation of Donnelly brothers brand madchester.com.
Pep Guardiola and Ederson sporting the MDCR collection
In Anthony Donnelly’s own words, the melted crest on the jumper is based on a t-shirt from the acid house period “when nightclubs such as Stuffed Olives and the Hacienda had no air conditioning” and “being p*ss wet through, melting on the dance floor, smiling like Cheshire cats” was the norm.
The design was created by Anthony’s brother, Christopher, along with designers from Puma HQ in Germany. Christopher is also responsible for the many iconic designs behind Gio-Goi – his and Anthony’s iconic British fashion brand that originated here in Manchester.
Anthony and Christopher are the proud sons of scrap metal merchant Arthur Donnelly and hard-working straight-laced mum June Donnelly. They were raised in the south of Manchester in Benchill with sister Tracey and quickly made a name for themselves in both the British fashion industry with Gio-Goi and the thriving rave scene here in Manchester and London.
A typical early days Gio-Goi brand shootFrom left to right, Paul Davis of the Happy Mondays, Christopher and Anthony Donnelly, Andy Barker of 808 state and Andy Rourke of The smiths
It is worth noting that Pep Guardiola has been wearing the MDCR collection out of personal choice, which has driven droves of Manchester City fans to go out and purchase a piece of authentic Manchester music history – it is believed that this is the first time ever in the history of the Football Association that a club has allowed outside parties to dramatically change a club’s badge design.
But this is the exact kind of disruption and influence that drove the Donnelly brothers to create Madchester, along with a small group of others, in the late 1980s – a movement and collective that fought the government for your right to party with Sweat It Out, Manchester’s first illegal rave.
The brothers have an unmatched reputation for effective marketing campaigns, which includes the time they got themselves on the front page of Vogue magazine with Gio-Goi and Dior, photographed by legendary portrait photographer Mario Testino, so it was no surprise to find that Anthony and Christopher were behind the MCFC x PUMA collaboration.
Chris Donnelly building an illegal rave stage in the late 1980sPast and present: Bernard Sumner of New Order, left and Tom Grennan, right, both sporting Gio-Goi
The Madchester music scene gave birth to the illegal rave and its protests against the authorities are what made an acid house rave so alluring for young (and old) partygoers back in the day. The Donnelly’s were instrumental during this time and quickly rose to prominence.
On what Madchester means to the Donnelly’s, Anthony says: “Madchester to myself and Christopher brings back memories that are mad and brilliant at the same time – never to be repeated I would imagine.
“However, Madchester is often hijacked by brands everywhere who were not even there. Most recently, a famous deodorant used the brand without permission – which was one of the reasons behind creating Madchester as a brand so that we can ensure the intellectual property is protected.
The Donnelly brothers in the early days of Benchill
“It can be annoying in some cases, for example, how our councils are using the history of Madchester as something they are proud of in order to sell the city. I suppose this is understandable given what we created, however, those same councils were actually instrumental in trying to crush Madchester, the Hacienda, and our illegal Sweat It Out raves.”
To date, the Donnelly brothers and Madchester exist predominantly as a live events brand that leans more towards tourism and there is a lot planned on the horizon that Anthony and Christopher believe will bring much-needed revenue to Manchester’s Night Time Economy.
A spokesperson for the Madchester brand says: “Madchester is to Manchester what the Beatles are to Liverpool, or Nirvana is to Seattle. People flock here in their thousands and we are expected to give them a good time.”
Proper Mancunians Chris Donnelly, left, Anthony Donnelly, right, back in the day
Anthony and Chris are deep in their plans to bring Madchester to the masses with an event at Depot Mayfield next April, alongside the founders of The Warehouse Project. There is also a second MDCR clothing collection dropping in November, which is part of the same collaboration with MCFC, JD and PUMA, and is more of a fashion-led line inspired by the era which will include staple items such as bucket hats and parka jackets.
With the Donnelly’s, one thing is for sure, you’ll be seeing a lot of them in the coming months and in 2022 – and while Manchester as a city grows and grows, the Donnelly’s will be working hard to keep its historic roots intact.
Watch the story of Joy, the first outdoor rave up North, organised by Anthony and Christopher Donnelly, below.
Manchester
Hotspur Press to be part-demolished following catastrophic fire
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s historic Hotspur Press will be partially demolished following the fire that tore through the building earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that part of the centuries-old mill would need to be pulled down to enable safe firefighting.
The Hotspur Press building stands just off Whitworth Street West behind Oxford Road train station, and previously operated as a printing press.
It later became a home for artist studios and creative spaces until officially becoming derelict in the late 2010s.
Despite standing empty, the magnificent old mill has been an iconic and oft-photographed landmark in Manchester, and one of only a handful left in the city centre.
But that huge fire on Monday evening has gutted the Hotspur Press, and now it will be ‘partially’ demolished.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Firefighters continue to work hard to bring the fire at Hotspur Press to a safe conclusion. Alongside Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police and partners, a decision has now been made to partially demolish the Hotspur Press building over the coming days.
“This is to enable safe firefighting and excavation in areas that are currently inaccessible, mitigating any risk to life. This will also allow safe internal investigations to begin.”
Plans have been in place to turn The Hotspur Press into a student accommodation tower block, which had included a 35-storey student tower built out of the original mill facade.
The Manc has contacted property developers Manner, who own the Hotspur Press site, to see what will happen to the space following the blaze.
Diana Ross at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
It’s true, the Queen of Motown Records, Diana Ross, is coming to Manchester, and she’s bringing The Hallé Orchestra with her too.
Diana Ross and her band are making their way to Manchester for a night of glitz and glam, but they’re also making room for the much-loved Manc-based music collective
You can expect this Pop and disco diva to perform lots of other timeless classics such as ‘I’m Coming Out’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘Chain Reaction’, she really is ‘The Boss’.
Diana Ross gig guide – everything you need to know
Diana Ross, her band and The Hallé Orchestra are coming to Co-op Live Manchester on 26 June.Credit: Crisco 1492 (via Wikimedia Commons)
This living legend is a bucket list gig for many, but we’re sure if you’re fast enough, you’ll be able to secure a ticket for yourself and your ‘Baby Love’.
Diana Rosshas racked up 58 top 10 hits and we’re sure she’ll play a hefty amount of these at Co-op Live.Credit: DVROSS (via Flickr)
Diana Ross setlist
I’m Coming Out
More Today Than Yesterday
Baby Love
You Can’t Hurry Love
Come See About Me
Stop! In the Name of Love
Touch Me in the Morning
I’m Still Waiting
Chain Reaction
He Lives in You
Good Morning Heartache
Love Hangover
Ease on Down the Road
Home
The Boss
Endless Love
Reach Out and Touch
Upside Down
Tomorrow
Count on Me
Just in Case
If the World Just Danced
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Amazing Grace
I Will Survive
Thank You
What are the stage times for Diana Ross in Manchester?
The supreme space that is Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, so you’ll be able to dance your socks off without having to ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’, while still making it back to bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 7:30pm and no official announcement regarding a support act.
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
This will be Diana’s first time performing at Co-op Live in Manchester.Credit: Crisco 1492 (via WikiCommons)