In a world packed with so many different streaming platforms that it can be hard to keep track of which new phenomenon is on what, or even what subscriptions you have, we’re glad to inform you that there’s a new show you can watch for free in the form of Erling Haaland’s YouTube channel.
No, seriously: now Traitors is over, it might just be our latest obsession.
First and foremost, it’s worth noting that in a climate of largely media-trained professional athletes, we always find characters like Erling Haaland refreshing – primarily because he’s an unapologetic but still inoffensive footballer who pretty much does and says whatever he wants, both on the pitch and off.
Including (judging just off the first two episodes alone) cooking and eating steak in the Manchester rain, dressing up like the Joker, talking about how much he loves milk, and chasing his childhood sweetheart through his rather large home.
Ironically, this isn’t technically his debut as a so-called ‘influencer’, having previously released self-made videos of him rapping as ateenager. Yes, it exists.
Nevertheless, now with a proper camera crew behind him and in a much more content-rich stage in his life as one of the most famous sporting personalities on the planet.
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Haaland has gone from not only one of the most exciting young players on the planet, to developing an even bigger celebrity profile since arriving in Manchester and the Premier League at large, becoming a persona-led brand in his own right.
The 25-year-old son of former Blue, Alf-Inge Haaland, was always going to be a popular figure among City supporters, but it says quite a lot that other football fans, even from rival clubs, find it hard to find him anything other than personable, funny and fascinating at times.
You only have to look at the reactions to his conveniently timed Halloween episode, where he dressed up as a famous Batman villain and went around Manchester ‘in disguise’. If you can’t spot the big blonde Norwegian number nine in a crowd, then you’re probably too late for Specsavers, to be honest.
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You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Haaland as the Joker doing kick-ups – so head to his YouTube and tick that off now.
We’re not entirely sure what motivated him to kickstart these high-production value videos now, but we’re not complaining; already, it’s given us more laughs, whether intentional or not, than most run-of-the-mill sitcoms.
It goes without saying that we can’t wait to see what he drums up after the big win against Liverpool, in which he delivered yet again, netting his 14th goal in just 11 Premier League appearances this season.
We particularly enjoyed how he chose to celebrate scoring against his former club, Borussia Dortmund, in the Champions League this month: by heading to Chinatown, seemingly for not only some Pho Cue but for a special late-night trip to Fat Pats, too.
For now, until we get the next instalment of our new and hopefully regularly scheduled Haaland YouTube programming, please enjoy that video of him spitting bars as a teen…
Bodo/Glimt's Erik Botheim dismantled AS Roma with couple of goals and three assists.
Featured Images — Screenshots (via Official Erling Haaland YouTube channel)
Sport
Manchester City youth Sverre Nypan returns from Championship loan
Danny Jones
Young midfielder Sverre Nypan is returning to Manchester City this January transfer window.
Man City had a fairly busy window, both in terms of new arrivals and outgoings – not least of all due to somewhat of an injury crisis along their backline – which also involved a fair few youth loanees recalled and/or sent back on other spells.
While the big stories were obviously the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth and Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, another move that has been confirmed before close on deadline day is Nypan being recalled from his loan in the Championship.
The Norwegian international, whose senior chapter is only just beginning, has spent this season on loan at Middlesbrough, who currently sit joint first in the second-tier table, are level on clean sheets with nine kept across the 20 games so far this campaign, and have the second-best goal difference (18).
Not only is that nearly a shutout nearly every other game, but while things haven’t quite gone the 19-year-old’s way, he did show promise in parts when played by head coach Kim Hellberg.
Still clearly a highly-rated prospect, with Boro fans stating that he showed “real glimpses of quality” even despite being thrown into one of the most physical leagues in the world, and perhaps too soon in his career, there’s definitely a player there.
More of an offensive-minded player, the Eliteserien academy product clearly has potential to be built on, but it remains to be seen what his level is right now, at least when it comes to English football.
City and their supporters certainly seem to think so, too, as while some are expecting him to go back out on a deal somewhere else, others think now could be a good time to give him some minutes in the wider first-team setup.
With Pep Guardiola’s squad still in all four possible competitions in 2025/26, he could be a useful rotation option – especially in the remaining domestic cup games.
It has now been confirmed that he has been given the number 41 shirt, so plenty are now expecting him to stay and add some more defensive strength in depth.
Nypan was signed by the City Football Group (CFG) from Rosenborg last year for a reported £12.5 million, but went on to start just three games for the North East side, and it has now been confirmed that what was supposed to be a full-term contract was mutually terminated by both teams.
With literally just hours left of the winter window, it now looks most likely that he will stay and continue his development with Pep, who has certainly given youngsters a chance and sometimes deploys them in alternative and often even unexpected positions. Could Nypan be used as an auxiliary defender?
However, there is always the chance of a late twist when it comes to transfers, and some have speculated that he could be sent to another CFG franchise.
Would you like to see him stay at the club and gradually work his way into the picture, Blues?
Featured Image — Ssu (via Wikimedia Commons)/Manchester City (publicity pictures via website)
Sport
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!
Danny Jones -
10th November 2025 
