More sporting history was made in Manchester this weekend as a city centre venue saw several world firsts in the realm of BMX as Red Bull kicked off a brand new high-octane event.
The inaugural edition of Red Bull Featured here in the UK saw thousands pile into Manchester Central on Saturday, 12 April, for a day of bike-based athleticism, truly impressive tricks and, in some cases, quite literally death-defying stunts.
Not only did the new event series get off to huge success, the BMX riders taking part also pulled off some truly incredible feats, with not one, not two, but 11 different world-first tricks in the space of just three hours.
For instance, Great Britain’s Kieran Reilly from Newcastle, who finished first overall in the male category, did this frankly ridiculous thing:
What you’ve just seen is called a ‘540 Triple Tailwhip to Bar Spin’ and it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to world-first moves pulled off at the event, with Reilly being joined by several other BMX stars in setting records and making history on the night.
For instance, not only did he pull off a 720 Triple Tailwhip as well – you can see both tricks HERE– but his colleagues managed to hit these:
Reilly, still just 23, said of his spectacular performance: “Learning a new trick is the best feeling, and doing something no one has ever done before just tops it. The last trick was one of the scariest I’ve ever done, and to even just leave here healthy is amazing, let alone achieve two world’s first tricks.”
As for American Hannah Roberts, who pulled off an equally impressive world-first with a Backflip Barspin to Tuck No Hander to win the women’s event, she added: “I came into the round and I didn’t know where I sat, and I wanted to end it well.
I’ve been doing the trick for quite some time in training and as I didn’t land my double fire, I wanted to land one world’s first at least. I’m so sore but I’m absolutely pumped. It’s been one of the coolest events as it gives us the opportunity to try all these tricks without the risk of hurting our scores.
The event was absolutely mindblowing.”
Hannah Roberts enjoying the views inside Manchester Central. The female podiumCredit: Eisa Bakos/Marcus Cole (via Red Bull Content Pool)
It was quite literally a showcase of some of the very best BMX talent in the world and yet another historic date for sport here in Greater Manchester.
With Olympic riders from all over the globe competing and getting the chance to attempt world-first tricks without their score taking an instant hit, it made for a mind-blowing display.
The new format, created by BMX legend and Red Bull athlete, Sebastian Keep, gave riders a new-found freedom on the course, entertaining the audience across the four feature format – and we’d have it back in Manchester in a heartbeat.
Well done to all those involved, and here’s to more Manc sporting history!
Logan Martin performs a 540 flair downside whip at Red Bull Featured in Manchester Central (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Featured Images — Eisa Bakos/Marcus Cole (via Red Bull Content Pool)
Sport
Manchester City said to no a pretty significant player swap with Liverpool last year
Danny Jones
Manchester City reportedly rejected a transfer proposal involving swapping one of their youngest and most exciting stars with close rivals Liverpool in 2024
This could have proved to be an interesting one…
Man City aren’t exactly short on forwards at the moment and have brought in plenty of attacking options over the past year, and with Erling Haaland breaking all manner of records up front for them, they didn’t find it too hard to sell on another promising young striker in Julián Álvarez for a club record sale.
However, as per recent claims made by a Telegraph Sport journalist, there was a possibility of Álvarez swapping the blue of City for the red of Liverpool.
🚨🚨| In summer 2024, when Liverpool realised Luis Díaz wanted to join Man City, their recruitment team proposed the Colombian to the Etihad Stadium in exchange for Julián Alvarez. Man City said: “We don’t sell to rivals." Liverpool said: “Neither do we then."
That’s according to football writer Chris Bascombe, anyway, who recently wrote that the two Premier League sides could have engaged in a player swap deal were the division’s then Treble-winners willing to negotiate with the only other team that has really contested the title with them in recent years.
As you can see, Bascombe states that Luis Díaz wanted a switch to the Etihad Stadium even before the current English champions shuffled their front three.
This has been backed up by The Times’ Paul Joyce as well, who says that the Colombian winger was ultimately “unsettled” by interest from City and others
Díaz (who recently signed for Bayern Munich) made it clear he wanted to play under Pep Guardiola, and it seems there was at least some willingness from the Merseyside outfit.
Provided they get an increasingly wantaway Julián Álvarez in return.
With Haaland having been brought in and making himself comfortably the go-to number nine for what could very well be the next decade, they clearly saw an opportunity to offer him an alternative, but Man City simply said, “We don’t sell to rivals.”
Ultimately, the now 25-year-old World Cup winner went to Europe, joining Atletico Madrid for a whopping £81.5m.
Regardless, it seems hard to imagine not only two top-flight English teams doing a deal like this but to picture what it would have been like to see Álvarez, who was still very highly thought of among a large section of supporters, being cheered on by the fans inside Anfield.
The Argentinian striker – though he has been utilised in a variety of positions at the top end of the pitch – has well and truly shone in La Liga, and now looks like he could be set to swap Madrid for Barcelona.
Álvarez has apparently made it clear to those closest to him that he wants Barca, and despite the summer window closing, the Catalan giants could pursue a deal to sign him next year when his contract expires, or indeed, even go after him this January.
Meanwhile, after bringing in plenty of new talent over the past few months, with Manchester City now effectively being given the green light to proceed with a major commercial sponsorship deal, you could very well see yet more big money being spent in seasons to come.
Harry Kane tears up as he honours England’s first Muslim player
Danny Jones
Three Lions skipper Harry Kane teared up as he honoured Djed Spence with an emotional speech on his England debut, becoming the first Muslim player ever to represent the senior national team.
Another historic night for sport in this country.
In case you didn’t tune in, the result against Serbia was a thrilling 5-0 victory, which saw Thomas Tuchel’s side maintain their unbeaten run, with a five-star performance serving as the perfect way to mark five wins from as many fixtures.
But, again, the headline story of the night was Djed Spence celebrating his faith in the best way possible – not to mention England captain Harry Kane paying sincere tribute to the history-making 25-year-old:
Pretty much everything you see of Harry Kane points towards him being a genuinely sound bloke. He could have just passed that cap over to Djed Spence with empty platitudes but you can tell he really cares.
As you can see, sharing some heartfelt and inspirational words as a former Lilywhite himself, ‘King’ Kane – who was first given the armband back in 2018 ahead of the Euros – spoke highly of the Tottenham Hotspur star following his inaugural national team cap.
Confessing that he himself felt emotional speaking on behalf of Spence, the 32-year-old striker recalled first seeing the wing-back arrive at Spurs just a few short years ago before his eventual departure for Bayern Munich in 2023.
He also shared, “I know what it takes to get here”, and saw what it took on his end to make those same steps forward in his career and ultimately break into the England squad, adding, “credit to you and your family – you deserve this, mate.”
As for the former Nottingham Forest defender himself, writing on social media, Spence said: “Today is arguably the greatest and proudest day of my life. Honoured to make my England debut.
“A day I’ve dreamt of all my life and now has become a reality. GOD IS THE GREATEST! #GODSPEED“
While there have been many individuals from the Islamic faith throughout the footballing pyramid and, indeed, the FA‘s national team youth ranks over the years, Djed Spence becoming the first senior capped Muslim player in our country’s history is nothing short of an incredible milestone.
Speaking to the media after the game, which also saw Harry Kane surpass Sir Bobby Moore as England’s fifth-most capped player of all-time (now on 109), the London-born athlete admitted: “I was surprised because I didn’t know I was the first, so it’s a blessing.
“It’s good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing.”
Here’s hoping he can fly the flag for British Muslims throughout domestic football and help generate further impact on the sporting world beyond that.
Danny Jones -
14th April 2025 
