Former England star and Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has said he doesn’t “like ladies talking about men’s football” in a recent interview.What year are we in again?…
Referring to international football being covered by those who used to play professional women’s football, specifically, Keegan said: “I don’t like to listen to ladies talking about the England men’s team at the match because I don’t think it’s the same experience. I have a problem with that.”
The 72-year-old’s quotes were taken from his own self-titled talk, ‘An Evening With Kevin Keegan’, held in Bristol last week and although he did claim to be a big supporter of the women’s game, he is apparently nnot so keen on female footballers talking about the male sport.
How could women ever hope to match such Kevin Keegan insights as "football is easier when you have the ball" and "Argentina won't be at Euro 2000 because they're from South America" https://t.co/fEMPtaVNmwpic.twitter.com/S6W0g2sEnf
Ah yes, Kevin Keegan, the font of all footballing knowledge.
The OBE-awarded ex-pro and reitred coach reportedly went on to add, “The presenters we have now, some of the girls are so good, they are better than the guys.
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“But if I see an England lady footballer saying about England against Scotland at Wembley and she’s saying, ‘If I would have been in that position I would have done this’, I don’t think it’s quite the same — I don’t think it crosses over that much.”
We have never winced at the word ‘lady’ so much before. The article also claims that these comments were met with applause from large sections of the audience.
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The reaction online and in the media on both sides has also led to another former manager coming out to give this two cents on Keegan’s remarks, as Harry Redknapp appeared on TalkTV to say he was “brave” to come out with these opinions and that he “can see where he’s coming from a little bit”.
"He's very brave for saying it… I can see where he's coming from!"
Harry Redknapp gives his take after former England manager Kevin Keegan said 'lady footballers' are not qualified to express opinions about the men’s international game.@Iromg | @Redknapppic.twitter.com/D59KTh9Zgh
“It’s a great time for the ladies. When I was England manager [February 1999-October 2000] I went to coach the England ladies and I had this perception of what the quality would be like and they were so much better than I thought they were going to be.”
He even joked about being surprised when he was nutmegged by a female professional during a training session. Wow, a professional athlete showing up an aging ex-pro for no other reason than their own sporting ability, we’re stunned…
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Even when Keegan did trying to speak more positively on “good lady presenters”, stating that he was set to be working with Gabby Logan in two days time, instead of acknowledging her as the seasoned sports presenter, pundit, former GB gymnast and household name we all know, he instead referred to her simply as “Terry Yorath’s daughter”.
Honestly, how are we still hearing condescending rubbish like this in 2023? Also, why should, say, Jill Scott’s opinion — an individual who has actually won a major trophy at international level — not count for just as much (if not more) than the countless male ex-pros then get on to talk about every tournament?
Featured Image — Manchester City/Lionesses (via Instagram)/Sky Sports
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Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days
Lonnie Bowes
There’s a particular kind of Manchester buzz you only get pitch-side. If you’re a seasoned Cityzen this one’s for you – one of three major new hospitality options for your next game day at the Etihad Stadium.
Tucked in the heart of the new Pep Guardiola Stand, directly behind the goal, we have the brand-new City Hall.
City Hall is built for people who actually want to watch football in comfort, and with a massive 500 capacity hall a stone’s throw from the pitch, it’s a hard one to pass up.
Doors open a full two hours before the match, and that early access turns the day into an occasion rather than a scramble.
There’s time to properly soak up the atmosphere in what is a genuinely lively, buzzing bar, and I have to say potentially one of the best I’ve come across on a match day.
Food and drink are where the local flavour really comes through. The street food menu leans into Manchester’s own identity with a modern twist.
The catering is relaxed and doesn’t take itself too seriously, let’s just say having a chip barm and chicken madras pie on the run-up to a kick-off is my idea of heaven.
Every guest gets an inclusive drink as part of your booking, too. You get to pick from a selected wine, beer or soft drink which you can claim at any point during your visit.
It’s a setup that suits everyone, whether you’re in it for a proper pre-match pint with your mates or meal with your family before a day of making pitch side memories.
The little touches matter too. A matchday programme is a nice, old-school addition in an era where so much matchday content has gone digital.
And crucially, the experience doesn’t end at the final whistle: with an hour’s access after the match, there’s no need to bolt for the exits the second the referee blows for full-time. You can sit and finish your drink, and let the ground empty out around you instead of fighting through it.
Put it all together and City Hall feels like hospitality done with an actual sense of place.
Manchester street food, a proper buzzing bar, and one of the best seats in the house, all wrapped around a schedule that respects the fact that match day is about more than just the 90 minutes.
For anyone looking to upgrade how they watch City this season, it’s well worth a look.
Have a look and make a booking at City Hall at the Etihad Stadium HERE.
The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed
Daisy Jackson
The road to one of the biggest nights in rugby league has officially been mapped out, with the 2026 Betfred Super League Grand Final set to return to Manchester’s Old Trafford this October.
Following the final round of regular-season action, the four play-off ties have now been confirmed as the battle for a place at the home of Manchester United enters its final stages.
And there’s plenty for Greater Manchester sports fans to get excited about.
Wigan Warriors have secured the League Leaders’ Shield after an emphatic 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons, with Matt Peet’s side running in nine tries to finish top of the table.
The result keeps Wigan’s hopes of an incredible treble alive, having already lifted the Betfred Challenge Cup back in May.
They’ll now have a week off while the opening play-off ties take place, as will second-placed Leeds Rhinos.
The first eliminator sees Wakefield Trinity welcome Leigh Leopards on Friday 18 September, with kick-off at 8pm.
Then, on Saturday 19 September, Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5.30pm.
The winners of those games will progress to the semi-finals, while the losing sides will face the two highest-ranked teams in the competition.
The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed. Credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Leeds will host the highest-ranked eliminator loser on Friday 25 September at 8pm.
Then, 24 hours later, Wigan will welcome the lowest-ranked loser to the Brick Community Stadium for their semi-final, with that one kicking off at 5.30pm on Saturday 26 September.
For Wigan, it represents a huge opportunity to take another step towards an historic treble – and ultimately a return to Old Trafford.
The Grand Final itself takes place on Saturday 3 October, with the action getting underway at 6pm.
As ever, the biggest prize in Super League will be decided under the lights at Old Trafford, with the two remaining sides battling it out in front of what is expected to be another huge crowd in Manchester.
Danny Jones -
5th October 2023 
