John Stones and Kyle Walker are apparently in the process of adopting “Big Dave” the stray cat from England’s World Cup hotel in Qatar.
Football might not be coming home, but Dave is.
While much of the country is understandably still a little disappointed following the Three Lions’ exit from the 2022 World Cup this past weekend, we can probably all agree that one of the more wholesome stories from tournament is the fact defensive duo John Stones and Kyle Walker befriended a cat they found hanging around the squad’s hotel.
Deciding to name him Dave, the Manchester City teammates were pictured with the cat most evenings and would often take to social media throughout the tournament to share general updates about their new feline friend and what he was getting up to – and people just absolutely loved it.
It’s fair to say that Dave – or “Big Dave”, as he was sometimes known – has become somewhat of a cult hero over these past couple of weeks, with fans and the media asking the pair on several occasions in interviews and press conferences how he was getting on.
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The two Yorkshiremen even referred to Dave as their “good luck charm” during the tournament.
“First day we got there… Dave pops out,” Stones explained in a Diary Room interview, “Every night he’s sat there waiting for his food.”
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“He was just there one day so me and Stonesy adopted him,” Walker also told England’s official media channel earlier in the World Cup campaign.
“Dave is welcome to the table… some people really don’t like the cat, but I love him.”
After finding out that Dave was in fact a stray cat, Stones and Walker promised to adopt him if they won the World Cup – but despite Gareth Southgate’s men exiting the tournament, reports are now suggesting that Dave is coming home anyway.
Speaking in the build-up to the Quarter Final game against France this past Saturday, Walker said: “Dave is fine. He had a little scrap with another cat the other night. I think they are fighting over territory and the food, but he’s doing well.
“Hopefully I can stick to my promise that he will come home with us if we were to win the World Cup.
“Dave’s fine, thank you for asking.”
John Stones and Kyle Walker are adopting ‘Big Dave’ the stray cat from Qatar / Credit: Kyle Walker (via Instagram)
According to report, Dave left Al Wakrah just two hours after the squad had departed their hotel and will first head to a local veterinary clinic.
Once he is at the veterinary clinic, Dave will need to have a blood test and receive some vaccinations, then will be required to spend a total of four months in quarantine before he heads to his new home here in the UK.
Serving as yet another fitting tribute from his beloved football club, who already honoured the late, great, Manc musician at Old Trafford, it’s rumoured to launch later this year.
Snapped alongside United’s current third kit for the 25/26 season, the rumoured ‘lifestyle’ jersey is apparently coming very soon.
This pair of images has seemingly confirmed the claims made by trusted online kit source, Footy Headlines, who specialise in sharing pictures of the football shirts, boots and more, who had already reported on the release in 2025.
As you can see, not only does the design feature a striking blue take on the band’s iconic album art style (expanded from an original painting by guitarist John Squire), but if you look closely, it also features the band’s iconic song and overriding slogan, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, built into the crest.
You can see the rest of the existing Stone Roses collection in full down below.
We’re sure there are loads of other little details besides the twist on the badge still to be spotted, but for now, all we know is that the world-famous sporting franchise is continuing to capitalise even further on The Stone Roses connection.
Since the last batch of officially licensed adidas x Stone Roses merch quickly became collector’s items, we can only assume that this latest shirt won’t be the only new addition.
For instance, one user already commented, ‘Where’s the bucket hat?’
As for Manchester United, they’re no doubt looking to generate as much revenue as possible after having to pay another sizeable severance package following the sacking of Ruben Amorim – the question is, who is going to be next?
A ‘Bubble Planet Experience’ with giant ball pits and an infinity room is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will soon welcome a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant, colourful bubbles, when Bubble Planet Experience makes its Manchester debut.
Expect giant ball pits, giant balloons, floating soap bubbles, and an infinity room in this brand-new-for-us immersive experience.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, and London – now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it’ll pop up inside Depot Mayfield.
Visitors will be able to explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Highlights include the Bubble Ocean, a vast expanse of bubbles designed to evoke calm and serenity, and the Infinity Room, where mirrors and shifting lights create the illusion of endless space.
Underwater Bubbles will transport visitors into a hypnotic aquatic world, recreating the magic and mystery of deep-sea exploration.
An infinity room at Bubble Planet Experience
There’s also a Bubble Dome, where younger visitors can unleash their creativity in a play area, plus the chance to go on a virtual reality adventure.
Expect dazzling light displays, interactive installations, and unexpected textures.
Bubble Planet Experience is co-produced by family entertainment producer Exhibition Hub and Fever.
Hamza El Azhar, CEO of Exhibition Hub, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Bubble Planet to Manchester for the very first time alongside the team at Fever, and to be part of a city with such a strong and celebrated cultural identity.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience a joyful, immersive adventure that sparks curiosity and wonder for all ages.”
The waitlist for early access to tickets is available HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
12th December 2022 
