Sport

Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals

Can they go all the way?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 1st June 2025

Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.

The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.

Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.

Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”

Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”

It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish

You can see how much it meant, clear as day…

Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings

ADVERTISEMENT

Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?

You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.

Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — TNT Sports/Sale Sharks (screenshot via YouTube/X)

Sport

Oldham Athletic’s hero owner Frank Rothwell showered with praise after promotion back to EFL

Danny Jones Danny Jones

It was a weekend Oldham Athletic fans will always remember as the Greater Manchester club officially climbed out of the National League and back into the EFL, and among the many heroes at Wembley this year, one was showered with more praise than most: Frank Rothwell.

The newly-annointed League Two club owner is the man responsible for saving Oldham from complete collapse just a couple of short years ago; a local businessman who gave them the crucial backing that kept them afloat and who, without whom, Sunday evening may never have happened.

Rothwell went viral before the game with his passionate speech ahead of the all-important playoff tie, but the scenes following the momentous victory for his hometown have proved even more wholesome.

You need only listen to what he had to say after the game to recognise how much it meant not only to him but everyone across the borough.

Credit must obviously go to the players, manager Micky Mellon – who helped steer them this far in what was his sixth promotion – and to Southend United also, who made it a truly thrilling contest and advert for non-league football, not to mention garnering a National League record crowd of 52,115 fans.

Nothing short of incredible support.

In fact, there could have been even more in the stands for both sides were it not for the ticketing and rail maintenance fiasco that meant thousands of fans were simply unable to make it to the match, with each club’s allocation being capped at 21,500 a piece.

As for those who didn’t tune in to watch the thrilling fixture: firstly, more fool you and, secondly, the extra time comeback by the Latics was nothing short of inspiring and you couldn’t help but pray for the camera to pan up to Frank jumping up and down in his seat.

From being handed a big crate of Budweiser by the players to enjoy his first beer since Christmas (again, never one to shy away from a challenge), to take a victory lap around the iconic pitch after the final whistle, it was just as much his day as it was theirs.

It may have been a calm first-half penalty from Joe Garner, an expertly taken equaliser by James Norwood, and Kian Harrat’s fortunately stray ball into the box that got them over the line, but none of them would even be there without Frank Rothwell.

Writing a lengthy post on social media, famed football journalist Henry Winter said: “There’s such a fighting spirit to Oldham Athletic. So close to going out of existence in 21/22. But great fans and good people like Frank Rothwell and Darren Royle refused to let their club die. They fought and survived.

“They were so close to losing the National League play-off, but they fought and recovered and won. Resilience on and off the pitch. You have to feel for Southend United, who’ve also been through the mill in recent years, winding-up threat, transfer embargo, points deduction, prolonged takeover.

“Fighting spirit kept them alive. Amazing tifo at Wembley said it all: never give up. Southend gave everything and contributed fully to an epic playoff.

The quality shown by both sides and the depth of support […] is another reminder of the legitimacy of the campaign to have #3UP from the National League.”

As you can see, he’s not just a club legend already, but he’s even further cemented himself as a local hero throughout the town of Oldham.

He’d already endeared himself to fans, home and away, with various scenes over the past couple of years. Even before rescuing the old Lancashire outfit, he’s raised more than £1.1 million for Alzheimer’s Research and awareness with his epic solo row across the Atlantic.

Basically, he’s done some truly heroic things both within and outside of football, and the 74-year-old’s same indefatigable attitude is the kind of energy that has helped spur them over the past few seasons.

He never gave up his club or his town, and everyone reaped the rewards. Congratulations to the Latics, and we look forward to seeing them back where they belong.

PS — Get yourself an owner like Frank Rothwell.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Diego Sideburns (via Flickr)/@harryp29311/Oldham Athletic (screenshots via X)

Sport

Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group

Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.

Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.

Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.

Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.

The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.

They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”

In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.

Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.

Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group

CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.

“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”

Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.

One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”

Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”

Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More Sport

Man City summer signings before Club World Cup

Sport

Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup

Ruben Amorim on Man United being booed off in Malaysia friendly

News

Ruben Amorim reacts as Manchester United are booed off after Malaysia friendly

Stockport County safe standing next season 2025/26

Sport

Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches