Manchester Laces founder Helen Hardy has been honoured in a giant mural painted on the steps of Wembley Stadium in London.
Championing both women’s and non-binary football since the organisation was created back in 2021, Helen Hardy has been at the forefront of inclusivity in Mancunian and British sport, in general, reminding everyone that football is game for everyone.
To celebrate her incredible contribution, the National Lottery’s Good Causes scheme unveiled the massive piece of art stretching across the legendary Wembley steps.
England Women‘s captain Leah Williamson even turned up to show her support.
Channelling the pride flag’s rainbow palette, the mural is realised in vibrant technicolour — as are the LGBTQIA+ inclusive club’s already iconic kits.
Expressing her gratitude on social media, Hardy said, “It’s been an absolute honour to have my face painted on the steps of Wembley. I can’t quite believe it!” She also went on to thank the artist, Charlotte Archer (pictured right), who captured her likeness.
In a relatively short space of time, Manchester Laces has going from strength to strength, setting up their own division (the Alternative Foootball League) and even expanded into London, with three different clubs located in the capital.
Their work in providing everyone a place to play across Greater Manchester and further afield has already been recognised by the likes of the National Football Museum and many more.
The first of its kind in the UK, this wonderful group of people is only getting bigger.
Speaking in an interview with The Independent following the reveal, Euro 2020-winning footballer Williamson said that Helen and Manchester Laces are “normalising what should already be normalised”.
“That’s why I love this campaign… because it’s someone who doesn’t even see themselves as a leader, Helen, deciding to pave the way and something she believes should be available and a space that she believes should be available for people to be able to positively impact the world a little bit.”
The 25-year-old also went on to say of the women’s national team: “I wouldn’t want anyone to feel like it wasn’t their game. We wanted to show that supporting England is an open invitation to be exactly who you want to be, because that’s what we do too.”
Meanwhile, rather disappointingly, the England and Wales mens teams reneged on wearing the One Love armband at the 2022 World Cup under threat of punishment from Qatar.
The Lioness and Arsenal defender concluded by saying that while she’ll “support England until the day [she dies]”, people have been left “alienated in terms of the LGBTQ+ community” and believes that this year’s tournament is fundamentally “wrong”.
We can only echo her statement and reiterate our support for women’s and non-binary football, as well as wonderful institutions like Manchester Laces.
Featured Image — Helen Hardy/National Lottery Good Causes (via Twitter)
Sport
A huge Hot Wheels monster truck event is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
A massive Hot Wheels-themed monster truck event is coming to Manchester city centre as part of a brand new UK tour.
You can file this under one for the kids and for the big kids.
Following the success of the brand’s award-winning ‘Glow-N-Fire’ event earlier this year, Hot Wheels is hitting the road once again and bringing the explosive show to yet more domestic audiences.
Whether you’re a monster truck enthusiast, part of the wider motorhead masses, or simply looking for something fun to do with the little ones, you should be all over this.
Credit: Pres shots (supplied)
What is Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire?
Produced by Family Entertainment Live, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ sees versions of the genuine collectable toys brought to life on the biggest scale possible.
Remember that old miniature car you had that looked like a shark? Yep, they’ve even got that.
But there’s much more than just colossally large vehicles; as well as the debut of an all-new truck called the ‘Rhinomite’ – the dynamite Rhino-themed truck which charges horn-first into challenges and looks to destroy the competition – the new and improved experience will feature never-before-seen stunts.
Performed not only by the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks drivers, but also by a talented roster of FMX (freestyle motocross), you can expect the likes of no-handed front flips and much more by these impressive professionals.
Returning not only to the capital but now Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds too, more and more Brits are going to be able to see the action for themselves.
Credit: Supplied
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – UK tour dates
Saturday to Sunday, 3-4 January 2026: AO Arena, Manchester
Sat-Sun, 10-11 January: The O2 Arena, London
Sat-Sun, 28-29 March: First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds
Sat-Sun, 4-5 April: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Sat-Sun, 11-12 April: Utilita Arena, Birmingham
With special children’s pricing, VIP packages and even the chance to participate in the official pre-show party, held two and a half hours prior to every performance, there really is so much value-for-money to be soaked up from this high-octane piece of live entertainment at the AO Arena.
The pre-show party, specifically, gives fans a unique opportunity to access the arena floor where they can get up close and personal with the outrageous Hot Wheels designs and the truly epic size of a minster struck, as well as grab autographs and selfies with their favourites.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Manchester tickets
Glow-N-Fire won the most recent Pollstar ‘Family Show of the Year’ award and has sold thousands of tickets this year alone, so it goes without saying that you have every reason to give this one a go.
Tickets for next year’s Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show at the AO Arena in Manchester go on sale this Friday, 5 September at 10am.
Manchester United are reportedly set to snap up Jess Park from rivals Man City
Danny Jones
Summer signing drama might be over for the men, but not for Manchester as a whole, as Man United are reportedly set to snap up Jess Park from close rivals Man City.
Being two of the clubs not only with one of the fiercest rivalries but that have been among the closest to pushing serial Women’s Super League winners Chelsea to the title in recent years, it seems surprising that there’d be a willingness for the two increasingly competitive teams to negotiate over talent.
Nevertheless, there seems to be more and more concrete talk of midfielder Jess Park moving from the blue half of Manchester to the red, as Man United have grown increasingly keen on the 23-year-old.
A fan favourite at the Joie, Park has been with MCWFC for eight years, making her debut for the club at the age of just 16, but did spend 2022/23 on loan at Everton. With that in mind, her next spell away from Man City could very well be a permanent one.
With a debut goal on her Lionesses debut and strikes like the screamer against Palace in the locker, supporters won’t want to see her go.
A creative outlet for both Man City and England, Park has scored 20 times and registered 17 assists, only increasing her goal contributions each season.
It is this, as well as her overall ability in the middle of the park, that has seen Director of Women’s Football at Manchester United, Matt Johnson, and INEOS decide to pursue the neighbouring player.
As you can see, not only are there plenty of City fans praying that the young international doesn’t depart, but not everyone is entirely convinced by the move over at United, either – especially if a swap deal were to somehow materialise.
Loding Clinton would be so bad. She was growing within the shirt towards the back end of last season, she can easily become a key player here
But when there's no ambition from the top, the coach cannot manage flies let alone people. Then losing a star is inevitable sadly
Online broadcaster and women’s football commentator, Mina Ibrahim, went on to add: “If Man City and Man United do a swap for Jess Park and Grace Clinton, who wins the deal?
“Hasegawa and Clinton midfield is a guarantee. I don’t imagine Park being a starter under the [manager] despite the fact [that] she should be. Why does this feel like a panicked, Deadline Day move?”
What about you, Reds and Blues – how do you feel about Jess Park seemingly leaving Man City for Man United, and what do you make of Grace Clinton possibly going the other way?
Danny Jones -
24th November 2022 
