The team behind Manchester fried chicken heroes Kong’s Chicken Shop is opening a new sandwich spot at Hatch this weekend – and there will be crisp butties on the menu.
Moving into the Oxford Road food and drink shipping container village this Friday, Kong’s Sandwich Shop will serve up an NYC bodega and deli-inspired menu with a few cheeky northern twists.
Crisps, of course, have to play their part – with hand-cooked salt and vinegar bad boys making an appearance on Kong’s Italian BMT.
Comprised of prosciutto, salami, sliced ham, rocket in blue cheese dressing, tomato concasse, and salt and vinegar crisps on ciabatta, it already sounds like this will become our new lunchtime go-to.
Chicken caesar club sandwich.
Pastrami loaded fries at Kong’s at Hatch
Credit: The Manc Group
Elsewhere you’ll find pulled chicken caesar club bloomers, smoked mackerel and lemon oil seeded bagels, a grilled smoked applewood, provolone and mozzarella sandwich on maple-glazed sourdough (extra ham optional).
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There’s also a pastrami Reuben with Russian dressing, and a Philly cheesesteak ciabatta on the menu – and, quite frankly, it all sounds amazing.
Veggies and vegans are not to be forgotten, either.
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Kong’s at Hatch. Credit: The Manc Group
For those who choose to forgo meat, choose from a pulled chipotle oyster mushroom melt with salsa, jalapenos, smoked cheddar cheese and jalapeno mayo (this can be made vegan), or Kong’s Vegan sandwich with pickled beetroot, hummus, roquito pepper, vegan cheese, pumpkin seeds and rocket on ciabatta.
There is also a range of sides on offer including pulled chipotle oyster mushroom-loaded fries, plain fries, deli salad, marinated Gordal olives, and hummus plates with pumpkin seeds, flatbread, lemon oil and coriander.
As for drinks, frozen margaritas and bottles of Pacifico will both be on sale from Kong’s Sandwich Shop in the courtyard.
Having dabbled in sandwiches since its inception, first with its famous fried chicken sandwich and later through its Nashville barbeque scene-inspired Meat and Three concept, Kong’s is now having a bit of a switch-around.
Its new sandwich shop at Hatch will go the whole hog on the sandwich route, offering a mix of hot and cold sandwiches on thickly-sliced ciabatta, bagels, maple-glazed sourdough, or white bloomer.
Over at Northern Monk Refectory, meanwhile, its Meat and Three kitchen will take a backseat as it’s replaced by the original Kong’s Chicken Shop menu – meaning that Kong’s amazing chicken crackling sandwich will once again take pride of place here.
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Man United broadcaster FlexUTD responds after suffering ‘awful’ racist abuse on camera
Danny Jones
Manchester United content creator, YouTuber and digital presenter, FlexUTD, has shared a disappointed but defiant response following a racist incident captured during a video after the game this weekend.
Flex – real name Flex Alexander – is a familiar face among Man United fans and a well-known personality across the online English football culture, having previously worked with another popular fan channel in The United Stand before founding his own brand, United View.
Whilst recording his regular post-match analysis outside Old Trafford after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, the social media influencer was interrupted by a woman and fellow United supporter.
After seemingly giving someone a quick shout-out, she then proceeds to wander out of frame before appearing to utter a racial slur off-camera in the form of an offensive twist on the fan base’s famous anti-Glazer chant.
Credit: United View (via YouTube)
In the video shared to the official YouTube channel, he is visibly stunned by the racist outburst and members of the crew behind the camera can also be heard asking, “Did you just see what I think you said?”, adding “There’s always one or two.”
The identity of the female United fan is still unknown and although her face remains blurred for legal reasons, Flex himself did come out on social media to ask people to “find this woman” in order for the club to identify her and the authorities to punish her accordingly.
Still taken aback by the racial slur, Flex simply goes on to describe the off-hand abuse as “crazy” before insisting that the moment will be staying the full edit so as not to let the incident go unnoticed.
Ever since the video was released, other Reds, football fans and content creators alike have been sharing their support online.
One person wrote, “It’s 2024 and we’re still seeing people saying racist things and they think they can get away with it. Hope Flex gets justice for this.”, while another tagged the club and added: “Can’t be having these type of fans enter the stadium.”
Flex has since responded online in a separate video, thanking people for their heartfelt messages, but despite assuring that he has a “thick skin”, he quite rightly went on to add that people of colour shouldn’t have to deal with that kind of intolerable behaviour and he is simply “tired”.
Disgraceful. Hope your ok @FlexUTD we are all united together ❤️
Retired striker and former United coach Benni McCarthy also reached out online to offer some kind words, writing: “Hi mate, hope you [are] ok. That was absolutely unnecessary and you shouldn’t have to deal with such behaviour. Stay strong bro and behind you all the way.”
The club themselves are yet to issue a statement regarding the incident but with both current players and former staff responding, it likely won’t be long before the individual is identified and issued with a ban. United had to deal with similar incidents regarding racism and homophobia last season.
It goes without saying that we condemn discrimination in all its forms; our thoughts go out to Flex and everyone else affected by the incident and hope the incident is dealt with swiftly. The beautiful game is for everyone and there’s no room for racism in any walk of life. #KickItOut.
You can watch Flex’s full video addressing the situation, in which he urged people to “stay strong, keep fighting” and “stick together”, down below:
FlexUTD’s full response following the appalling racist incident on 4/11/2024.
Featured Images — United We Stand (via YouTube)/FlexUTD (via X)
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Family pays tribute to ‘big family man’ found dead 10 days after going missing
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who was found dead in Wigan 10 days after he was reported missing have now paid a touching tribute to him.
David Edmonds, 55, has been described by his loved ones as a ‘big family man’ who loved sports, travel and his family.
David had been missing for nine days after last being seen in the Bodmin Drive area of Platt Bridge at around 11pm on Sunday 20 October.
Tragically after extensive searches, on Wednesday 30 October police found a body, later confirmed as David.
His wife has now released a statement on behalf of his family, describing him as a ‘happy chap’ who was well-loved by his family, friends and colleagues.
She said: “He was a hard worker and worked all his life. His first job was with his father at a local factory, and he worked there from a young age up until recently.
“He was a big Everton supporter and loved going to the matches. He held season tickets since he was a child. David liked all sports and watching anything with a ball, cricket, football, and rugby, especially Wigan rugby.
“He also liked horse racing; we would go to the races in York every year.
“He loved going on holiday and we travelled a lot together, we went to Australia, New York, Tenerife, and Benidorm.
“David was a big family man and adored his three nephews. He will be missed by all of us, he was so loved.
“We would like to thank the police and everyone who shared appeals on social media or went out searching for David.”
David’s family have asked for privacy whilst they grieve his loss.
Georgina Pellant -
29th April 2022 
