Mayor Andy Burnham has claimed that Manchester United’s plans to redevelop Old Trafford are not only massive for the club and Greater Manchester but that they could prove to be one of the biggest Levelling Up projects in the UK.
Speaking in a lengthy press conference after being appointed as one of several figures on Man United’s ‘regeneration taskforce‘, which is being tasked with exploring all the options surrounding the next chapter for Old Trafford, the Manchester mayor insisted that the plans are much bigger than the club.
As per the BBC’s Simon Stone, Burnham said, “This could be the biggest regeneration scheme in the country” and that beyond being a shiny new football ground, it could bring “thousands of jobs” to the region in turn.
He also revealed that the club isn’t set to make a decision on whether to remain at a refurbished Theatre of Dreams or build a new construct a new Old Trafford until the middle/latter part of the year — one of the key decisions that the taskforce is helping United’s executives reach.
Having already insisted that Old Trafford’s regeneration — be it an updating and upgrading or a total rebuild — would mean “no other city in the world would be set up in terms of its football infrastructure to Manchester”, the Labour MP has insisted he is fully committed to playing his part in the project.
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Named alongside the likes of club legend turned pundit and businessman, Gary Neville, Lord Sebastian Coe (former Chair of the organising committee for the 2012 Olympics) and the Chief Exec of Trafford Council, Sara Todd, he will be key in making sure the plans have both social and economic impact.
Burnham went on to tell BBC Sport: “We’ve seen what has happened on the east of Manchester, with the investment that has gone in. I’m looking at a balancing investment on the west of Manchester that will set this city up to be the capital of football around the world in the 21st century.”
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Referencing Man City and how the development of the Etihad Campus has undoubtedly helped regenerate surrounding areas over the past decade or so, it’s clear that the 54-year-old sees this as a massive investment in the community as opposed to just a private venture — and has said as much too:
Andy Burnham insists whatever happens to Old Trafford, it should involve a mix of public investment and private funding.
While Burnham’s suggestion that Manchester United should seek public investment has come under plenty of fire, with many asking why their new billionaire co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe would turn to the taxpayer for help with funding, he insisted it should be a “public-private partnership”, not a handout.
As an Everton fan himself, he was quick to cite how the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has already helped the Toffees in supplying loans, grants and in covering other professional costs related to supporting works on their new stadium on Bramley Moore dock which is still in progress.
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Circling back to United and Old Trafford, Burnham added: “People should just get away from the idea of public sector money, that is not the issue, it is much broader, with transport, employment and new investment into our city region. That is what is at stake here.”
The Mayor also appeared on a special episode of MUTV’s UTD Podcast, touching on how such a project would be massive for the North as a whole, transport and the ever-growing Bee Network, as well as how his new consulting brief fits into his wider role as the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
The insights that people like Andy Burnham, Gary Neville and Lord Coe will no doubt factor into how Manchester United approach the plans and whether it be continuing Old Trafford’s legacy or starting from scratch, but several reports are now suggesting that Ratcliffe is leaning towards a new stadium.
The INEOS boss has already insisted that he wants Old Trafford to become the ‘Wembley of the North’ and feels the stadium plans would need government backing to achieve that goal.
People have long been envisaging what a new and improved Old Trafford could look like, be it upgrading the existing stadium or erecting entirely new ground, and it remains a big debate amongst the supporter base. What do you think, United fans: stay put and renovate or think up the next Theatre of Dreams?
The new and improved Station Hotel is looking to become the undisputed home of sport in Alty
Danny Jones
The Station Hotel is no new name on the lips of Altrincham natives or those in and around Greater Manchester; chances are, plenty of you have either been or at least seen the late 19th-century pub after getting off the tram around the corner, but it’s been reborn following major renovations.
Not satisfied with a simple lick of paint or a new menu, Alty’s beloved Station looks, by and large, totally brand new, from the bar itself and every single piece of tiled floor to the brand new sports space.
There’s not only a shiny new glow coming from the soft-lit remodel; there’s now an added sense of warmth to The Station, and they’re looking to extend that welcoming feel not just to locals but the wider sporting community as well.
Having already been a go-to pre- and post-match pint spot for Manchester Storm and Alty FC, both of whom are seeing a huge surge in popularity of late, the team are looking to capitalise on those crowds and go one further.
As for catering to that audience, there’s no better example than the dedicated sports room, where, besides several of a dozen total screens, there are two fresh and premium standard pool tables, as well as one of the best examples of pub sports we’ve come across, maybe ever.
If you’re wondering what we’re on about, they’ve got actual interactive darts that don’t just give you some nice visuals, but that can be played head-to-head, against bots (yes, you can set the computer difficulty) and even online.
How does that work? Well, thanks to a built-in function on the display, you can literally face off against another player somewhere else in real-time.
So, say you happen to be throwing a few arrows in The Station comes the weekend, another punter happens to be at the oche in another Blind Tiger Inns venue – The Grosvenor over on Oxford Road in Manchester city centre, for instance – you can challenge them to a number of different games digitally.
Very cool.
Better still, the darts and the pool are completely free to use Monday to Friday right up until 7pm, and a mere £1.50 at the weekend. No wonder they had a busy opening night.
And then there’s all the deals on drinks: two for £12 on spritzes, £14 bottles of prosecco throughout the week until that same cut-off time, as well as £4 beers and large glasses of wine for as little as £6.
Be rude not to for those prices…
We especially love how the section of the pub where the old pool table and single darts board used to live is no longer the cold, almost cut-off section of the pub that used to be – it’s now one of the cosiest and most colourful parts, with a 360-padded seat, bright new mural, and one that opens out onto
Arguably the best bit, though, is one we’ll have to wait to see in its full glory just yet: the transformed patio area, with wall-to-wall bi-folding doors that will no doubt prove perfect for the summer and for when the World Cup rolls around.
Blind Tiger have, rather fittingly, played an absolute blinder with this one, and we expect the place to start a whole new chapter and fresh new reputation.
See you for a few scoops before a Storm game soon!
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Danny Jones -
12th March 2024 
