Manchester City have today unveiled fresh plans to redevelop their stadium and the wider Etihad Campus, including an increase in matchday capacity and more well-rounded fan facilities.
Revealing the rough plans and respective concept art on Tuesday, 28 February, City have stated that their aims are to create “a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium“.
The news comes after the club announced that they were carrying out “feasibility studies” back in December, teasing that they were looking to explore future stadium development and new concepts for the wider Etihad Campus, as well as the surrounding area of Manchester.
Now, fans and the local community are being invited to share their input and feedback on the proposal from today until Sunday, 26 March when the period of consultation ends.
Manchester City is delighted to unveil concepts for an entertainment destination at the Etihad Stadium and begin a fan and community consultation 🏟️
In addition to expanding the stadium capacity with a redesigned North Stand — which would see the ground rivalling the likes of Arsenal and Spurs with more than 60,000 seats — City’s owners are looking to further develop the Eithad as a “relevant and competitive sport, leisure and entertainment destination.”
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As well as adding to several connected all-weather facilities that will be fully integrated into the stadium and wider sporting complex, a larger covered City Square fan zone with a capacity of 3,000, a wide variety of food and drink outlets, new club shop, museum and hotel are also part of the ambitious plans.
Moreover, a “modest workspace” has even been proposed for SMEs (start-up and medium-sized organisations) looking to collaborate with the club and the City Football Group (CFG) at large.
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CFG has made it clear that they are committed to not only increasing numbers but offering “a broader range of dynamic matchday and non-matchday activities” all year-round — i.e. making the Etihad more than just a football stadium.
As part of the statement, the club went on to state that more than £700 million has already been invested into the local area of East Manchester and this latest raft of designs will see thousands more jobs created than they already have.
Fans and the local community are also being invited to a temporary exhibition at City Square from Saturday, 4 March, as well as attend one of three consultation events in the coming weeks:
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Beswick Library, 60 Grey Mare Lane, M11 3DS — Thursday 9 March 2023, 15:00 to 18:30
The Foyer at the National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, M11 4DQ — Monday 13 March 2023, 15:00 to 19:00
Church of the Apostles, Ridgway Street, Miles Platting, M40 7FY — Wednesday 15 March 2023, 15:30 to 18:30
Featured Image — Manchester City/Wikimedia Commons
Sport
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
28th February 2023 
