A new next-generation football centre has launched in the TraffordCity retail and leisure complex over in (you guessed it) Trafford and, believe us, this is much more than another five-a-side venue.
Fives Soccer Centre‘s new Manchester site is a revolutionary small-sided football venue offering locals the chance to play the beautiful game like they never have before.
Complete with state-of-the-art technology, the world-class facilities at the brand new Fives Trafford span across eight pitches, each measuring larger than the standard-sized pitches — the first in the UK to be approved by the FA, in fact.
Located just next door to Chill Factore, iFly indoor skydiving and, of course, the Trafford Centre, the industry-leading football centre is about connecting players to the game and turning a kick-about into a more immersive experience. There were even some famous faces down to celebrate the launch.
Each Fives pitch offers individual player tracking, allowing everyone to analyse their performance in minute detail and log their stats into a user-friendly app after a game.
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Providing everything from analytics and leaderboards to video match replays and highlights in the dedicated Fives mobile app, this place brings you closer to understanding your own game than any other five-a-side pitch ever has.
The new app and QR code system also allows players to check availability, control floodlights, access pitches even after they’re done to watch and share their game footage, check digital scoreboards and, most importantly, confirm and split payments for bookings. No more chasing your mates for the money.
CEO Scott Penman says that the hope is that “Fives can change the shape of 5-a-side football over the coming years and encourage a more diverse and inclusive customer base into the sport we all love.”
Moreover, Fives Soccer Centres (founded in 2018) isn’t just about bringing that added level of professionalism and digitalisation, it’s also crucially about providing an open and modern space to play for people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Manchester United and England stars Katie Zelem and Nikita Parris were both present for the launch event and spoke about how envious they are that the next generation of young players can now hone their abilities at such an impressive facility.
Speaking on launch day on 1 November, United Women’s captain Zelem said Fives is “leading the way in offering a professional experience to all players”, adding, “I really feel like the future of football is safe hands.”
The facility is open to the public and individual pitches and leagues can be booked via the Football Fives mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
For more information on how to get involved, as well as event bookings, visit www.football5s.com/
Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Details of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester have been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed on the situation a little first, Manchester City was found guilty back in September all of its charges related to the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, and on top of that, was also found guilty of the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, the independent Commission found that Manchester City had arranged so-called ‘sham’ commercial deals with a number of its sponsors.
These were part of a disguised funding scheme – with those sponsors only required to pay a portion of the relevant sponsorship fees.
The remainder was then funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club.
The Commission also concluded, as quoted by the Premier League, that the club had ‘made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation’.
Within the past week or so, it has since come to light that now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham had dealings with Manchester City during his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now issued a public statement, giving details on the matter and what these ‘dealings’ entailed.
A spokesperson for GMCA confirmed that Burnham had a ‘formal meeting’ with Man City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, back in October 2021.
The statement reads in full: “In October 2021, Andy Burnham, in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had a formal meeting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at the UK Government’s Global Investment Summit arranged by the Department for International Trade.
“In his capacity as Mayor, he was a guest of Manchester City FC at home matches on a small number of occasions, including attending Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match in September 2019, where he met the Chairman informally in the stands. These have been declared in the usual way.
“Also during his time as Mayor, representatives of Greater Manchester sporting clubs would routinely join business delegations as part of Mayoral international visits.
“This included representatives from Manchester United travelling to Austin and Dublin, Lancashire Cricket Club joining a delegation to India, and Manchester City FC staff supporting visits to China and Japan.”
Featured Image – Lauren Hurley / Number 10 Downing Street (Press Image via Flickr)
Sport
Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
Multiple people were arrested over the weekend as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League clash.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a total of 10 people were arrested during the policing operation at Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield as they hosted Manchester City on Sunday 11 October.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, five were on suspicion of tragedy chanting, one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items onto the pitch.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are particularly looking to speak to witnesses of the assault of the officer.
At around 6:35pm, as fans left the stadium, a police officer sustained a ‘serious facial injury’ during the arrest of a man on Anfield Road, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but is now recovering at home.
Investigating officers are now conducting enquiries, speaking to witnesses, and analysing CCTV and camera phone footage.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said it’s ‘extremely disappointing’ that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out their duty.
“I hope the arrests send a clear message and act as a deterrent to others,” Chief Inspector Hobin continued. “Anyone who engages in this abhorrent behaviour risks ending up in custody and getting a criminal record.
“Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”
Manchester City ended up defeated Liverpool 3-0 during the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Danny Jones -
25th November 2022 
