Bolton Wanderers have finally renamed their home stadium for the umpteenth time and thanks to a hilarious sponsor selection, the name has absolutely tickled social media.
Having previously been the Reebok, Macron and the UniBol, the Wanderers announced that they were looking for a new principal advertising partnership back in September 2022, revealing that they would be open to approaches from any interested parties.
After literally hundreds of approaches and lots of shopping around, the new main sponsor that would give its namesake to Bolton’s ground was confirmed on Sunday, 19 February and, whether they realised it or not, it’s turned out to be a perfect pun.
Yes, Bolton fans may not like but, you know, Toughsheet…
That’s right, in either a stroke of absolutely genius marketing or unbelievable foolishness, Bolton Wanderers’ ground is now called the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
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Not even remotely joking.
Having gone through significant financial trouble over the past few years and still in a key transitional phase after narrowly escaping dissolution, the club will surely just be relieved to have money coming in again and gradually climbing back up the football pyramid.
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However, as you can expect, the replies have been absolutely wonderful:
The Greater Manchester club has signed a new five-year deal with the building material and hardware brand based out Bolton’s parish town of Westhoughton.
The University of Bolton stadium will be officially renamed to the Toughsheet Community Stadium on 1 July 2023, in line with the start of the 2023/24 season and marks the biggest sponsorship deal in the club’s history.
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Not only has the company been embedded in the local community for more than 55 years, but it is also a family-run business employing more than 85 people in Bolton and the surrounding areas.
Naming rights to the stadium are said to have been contested by more than 400 different brands but given the fact that the Toughseet administration is largely made up of Bolton fans and just so happens to make for a hilarious name means, we couldn’t think of a better fit.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
20th February 2023 
