Sport
Bolton Wanderers have renamed their stadium and social media’s having a field day
They must have known what they were doing, surely?
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.
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.
However, as you can expect, the replies have been absolutely wonderful:
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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.
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.
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Featured Image — Bolton Wanderers
Sport
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
- Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
- Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
- Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
- Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
- Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Should be a laugh – see you there?
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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
Sport
John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
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Featured Images — Premier League/Man City (screenshot via IG)/Brad Tutterow (via Flickr)
Danny Jones -
20th February 2023 
