With this year’s Pride of Britain awards set to air later this week, Rob Burrow, his wife Lindsey and his fundraising best mate Kevin Sinfield, were among the winners for 2023.
The trio have raised millions for motor neurone disease – the condition the former rugby star was diagnosed with back in 2019 — over the past few years, but have taken things even further over the past year, hosting the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, educating kids on Cbeebies and plenty more.
As a result, it comes as no surprise that the inspiring individuals were presented with a joint special recognition award for their work raising awareness and funds for the MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association) and other related causes over the last 12 months and beyond.
Beyond well deserved.
We’ve just welcomed Rob and Lindsey Burrow to the stage – they truly deserve the spotlight! 🔦 pic.twitter.com/Ok4sOKMYCW
The moment Lindsey Burrow, along with daughters Macy and Maya, accepted the award on behalf of their dad and Kevin Sinfield.
The award ceremony itself took place over the weekend (Sunday, 8 October) and saw a total of 13 people recognised for their incredible efforts and inspiring stories.
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Speaking on the Burrow family and Oldham‘s very own Sinfield, the award scheme which is sponsored by the Daily Mirror and TSB Bank described the trio as “the ultimate dream team”, all of whom completed his self-titled marathon earlier this year.
Although Kevin sadly couldn’t be in attendance on the night, the local legend and retired rugby star turned coach has completed countless incredible feats in honour of his best friend Rob, including making sure he completed the 26.2 miles.
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The ex-Leeds Rhino carrying his teammate across the finish line has gone down as one of the most tearjerking moments in sporting history, let alone this year, and so much so in fact that the 43-year-old was awarded with a special token celebrating his beautiful friendship.
With the broadcast of this year’s show set to air at 8pm on Thursday, 12 October, it’s sure to be just as wholesome and emotional a watch as it always is.
Others celebrated over the weekend included Lee Rigby’s son Jack, named Young Fundraiser of the Year, Freya Harris who was named as one of two Children of Courage for competing at Crufts despite her cancer diagnosis, as well as the Windrush Generation, who have been recognised for their Outstanding Contribution.
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You can see the full list of Pride of Britain winners for 2023 HERE.
Featured Image — Rob and Lindsey (via Instagram)/BBC
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Rúben Amorim says Manchester United are ‘too comfortable’ following rollercoaster Liverpool game
Danny Jones
Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has suggested that “everyone” at the club is “too comfortable” and, judging by his press conference, he wasn’t just referring to the players.
Less than two months into his tenure at Old Trafford, the Portuguese head coach has struggled to get much significant training time with his squad amidst the winter fixture congestion but after getting a few more days ahead of the derby against Liverpool on Sunday, he managed to come away with a result.
Man United took the lead against Arne Slot’s table-toppers and defended much better than fans have seen all season for the majority of the 90 minutes, not to mention showing fight to stay in the game and nearly win it if not for Harry Maguire’s shot over the bar at the death.
Speaking to the media after the whistle, Amorim said that he saw his side properly face the opposition “the way we are supposed to”, perhaps for the first time since he took charge, insisting that they demonstrated the mentality he expects from them every week from preparation to full-time.
"I feel we are too comfortable, we need a shock" 💬
Ruben Amorim says his team were a "different team" against Liverpool yesterday 🔴 pic.twitter.com/fIWuBiG876
Reiterating that “mentality is the key, for everything” be it in training or the match itself,
Most notably, however, the 39-year-old said: “I feel that everyone we, not just the players but everyone at Manchester United is too comfortable; I think sometimes we need a shock and you can see it today – we were a different team.”
This isn’t the first time Amorim has mentioned that his squad have been in need of a “big shock”, having said as much after the Newcastle United game when he even went so far as to claim that the prospect of a relegation battle is a “possibility”, and that such an eventuality should put fear into them.
As for how much of this is pointed at individuals beyond those lacing up their boots or if he’s just trying to communicate unity, good and bad, we’ll leave that up to your interpretation.
In fact, make what you will of the performances of the former Sporting boss up till now, but his seemingly brutal honesty is one thing that has remained consistent throughout his time in the Premier League thus far, as the comments he has made about the club in just a few weeks are rather stark.
Another remark he made after the home defeat to Newcastle was that it is “a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach” at present, particularly following the run of results they have been on (besides the Manchester derby win and a point away at Anfield), adding that they were “not improving.”
However, cut to a week later and some more tangible contact time with his players and staff on the training pitch and his tune has changed somewhat, applauding not only how they applied themselves against the league leaders, whilst still adding that everyone has the right to and “should be MAD.”
Up until this point, Amorim believes United have been ‘too comfortable’ but that he’s started to see what he wants from the club.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes also confirmed that the anger and frustration was certainly felt in the dressing room, confessing that he was “pretty upset” not only to not have walked away with all three points after such a defiant display but that they have produced performances like that before.
As good as a point away against their historic rivals, especially given their current supremacy and United’s struggles of late, Amorim’s compatriot and team captain assured that they “can’t be happy” with just a draw asked, “Why can’t we do this every week?”
With the Red Devils’ next four fixtures including a cup tie away against Arsenal, a home game against an impressive Brighton outfit and a Europa League night against Rangers, could this be the start of the tide starting to turn in the red half of Manchester?
More importantly, do you agree with Amorim’s comments – are United guilty of being ‘too comfortable’ for too long?
You can listen back to Rúben Amorim’s post-match press conference in full following his first derby against Liverpool down below:
Featured Images — Optus Sports/Beanyman Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
A dozen of the best and most popular gyms in Manchester, ranked by price
Daisy Jackson
You do not need to wait for January to get your body moving again – there’s no time like the present.
The trick to sticking with your health kick is often to find the right routine for you, and when it comes to exercise, finding the gym that will make you feel supported as well as pushed physically is key.
There’s no shortage of brilliant gyms here in Manchester, from the do-it-yourself commercial gyms to the fitness facilities manned by highly qualified trainers who will guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re a fancy girl who needs fancy facilities to coax you into the gym, or you’d rather get your head down and save some cash, we’ve got you covered.
Here are a dozen of the best gyms and health clubs to try in 2024 – and how much it’ll cost you.
12 of the best and most popular gyms in Manchester
12. Ultimate Performance – Spinningfields (bespoke prices available on request)
Ready to transform your body or lay the foundations for lifelong health, and feeling pretty serious about it? Ok, game on.
Ultimate Performance is the gym in Manchester to join if you want to stick to your plan and achieve whatever goals you set yourself, from fat loss to muscle building to general health, with some of the world’s best personal trainers coaching from here.
Barry’s is the gym loved by all the famous LA-dwelling beautiful types, and first opened here in Manchester in 2018.
Workouts take place in the ‘red room’, where rows of benches, dumbbells and treadmills promise a total body workout.
It’s now a global phenomenon, with gyms everywhere from the USA to the UAE to Australia to Mexico.
It ain’t cheap though: memberships start at £125 per month, which gets you eight classes, or you can book a drop-in class for £20. The most expensive membership will set you back £308. Check out all the offers here.
10. Blok – Piccadilly (£205/month for unlimited)
Blok in Manchester has a mix of classes and is one of the city’s best gyms. (Credit: Blok)
This gym is genuinely very beautiful, taking over a corner of the historic Ducie Street Warehouse.
It’s another one with three different studios to choose from – you can do pilates and yoga, take on full-body strength-focused or boxing workouts, or try out barre and cardio exercises.
There are top-notch changing rooms for getting refreshed in afterwards too.
Unlimited membership is £205 a month, but if you’re happy to commit to a set number of classes there are cheaper packs available too. Check it out HERE.
You will not find a nicer or more supportive group of trainers than the ones who work at FORM – you also won’t find any who take away your ability to walk up stairs quite so efficiently.
As well as one-to-one training, they offer their ‘reload’ programme with small groups training together at their New Bailey Street gym, and the best pilates and yoga classes in town at their Reset gym on Marble Street.
FORM promises a long-term change to your life – this is no flash-in-the-pan fitness phase.
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Memberships start from £168 a month and we promise you get a lot of bang for your buck. Find out more on the FORM Manchester website.
First created in Australia, there are now more than 1,000 F45 studios all over the world, creating what it claims is the most innovative fitness gym on the planet.
Each 45-minute session blends cardio and HIIT-style workouts for ‘sweat-dripping, heart-pumping fun’.
The circuits in their Manchester gyms will kick your ass, in a good way.
It’s £165 a month if you commit to six months, otherwise you’re looking at £195 a month – check it out HERE.
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7. Zeno Training Clubs – Angel Gardens (£99/month)
Hero/Zeno Training Club gym in Manchester. They even do protein/health smoothies to go.Credit: The Manc Group
With four different fitness studios to choose from, Zeno (formerly known as Hero) offers a little something for everyone.
You can seriously test your cardio in their spin studio or in the Athletic studio (where you can also take on boxing classes), push your strength in the Stronger studio (which is basically like small group PT sessions), or reset a bit in the Rejuvenate studio. There’s also an open gym upstairs.
Zeno has some of the best facilities in the city – seriously, there are more squat racks in here than in some of the biggest commercial gyms – and a bloody lovely group of trainers to guide your every move.
Memberships start from £99 a month, and there are class bundles available too. Find out more HERE.
This ‘next-level fitness studio’ follows a pretty similar model to V1BE, but factors in assault bikes (ouch) and has classes with a more tailored focus.
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There are three different TRIB3 classes to choose from – upper body and core, lower body, and full body – broken down into three zones: treadmill, resistance and intensity.
It’s proving to be a very popular option for Mancs.
Unlimited memberships are £79/month but there are loads of other options too. Find out more online.
5. V1BE – Central (£39/month)
It’s all about the cardio at V1BE, Manchester’s boutique gym group that will literally display your heart rate on a giant screen for all to see.
Most workouts are spread between sprint sessions on the treadmills and weighted circuits on the floor, but they also have ‘STR1KE’ classes that factor in some intense boxing drills.
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You will be sweaty, you will get competitive with yourself, and you’ll definitely love it (once the hill sprints are over).
Membership starts used to be £59 a month, but since they’ve reduced to just one site over on Mosley Street, prices are now just £39 for unlimited access to the gym and their range of classes. You can go find out more here.
4. The Y Club – Castlefield (starting from £35/month)
Over in Castlefield, you’ll find one of the most decked-out gyms and health clubs in Manchester city centre at one of the best value-for-money price points too. Put simply, it’s an old-school YMCA with plenty to offer.
The Y Club, which is attached to The Castlefield Hotel – where you also have access to 20% off food and drink with your membership – features a comprehensive range of gym equipment and facilities, as well as a large pool, five courts, football, badminton and more in the large sports hall, as well as studio classes.
There are also in-house personal trainer and physiotherapy sessions available; they even offer free health checks and lunchtime fitness classes as part of their corporate packages where employees can even get a 9.6% discount on selected memberships.
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Standard prices start from £35 a month for a 12-month contract and full access to all facilities, but you can go cheaper with the £30 off-peak rate (6am-3:45pm). You can see the various tiers including reduced student rates HERE.
3. Nuffield Health – Printworks and Didsbury (£51/month)
Nuffield is one of Manchester’s biggest gyms, with its own pool.
What makes Nuffield Health so extraordinary of all the gyms in Manchester is that it has a real-life swimming pool, which is quite a luxury in a city centre as crammed as ours.
The gym has an army of treadmills and bikes, plus a functional fitness room, a free weights room, and several different studios.
There are also physiotherapists and personal trainers based here to help you build the healthiest body possible. They also have a Didsbury site too, if that helps.
It’s £51 per month, or you can go off-peak for £43 a month. You can sign up HERE.
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2. JD Gyms – Central (£19.99/month)
Doesn’t need much of an intro this one (Credit: JD Gyms)
With a rapidly growing number of gyms nationwide, it’s easy to see why JD Gyms are becoming more and more popular – and it’s got a lot to do with the price.
Their refurbished gym in Manchester city centre over on Whitworth Street has more than 300 classes a month, a sauna, and literally hundreds of pieces of strength and cardio equipment.
There’s a large free weights zone, a sprint and sled track, boot camps, boxing, and personal trainers. They also have a smaller Salford outpost over on Regent Retail Park.
Basic membership is £19.99 a month – which includes classes – but for £25 a month, you can also get 10% off at JD Sports online and use any of their gyms nationwide – find out more HERE.
1. PureGym – Central and Salford (£14.99/month)
PureGym has several gyms around Manchester. (Credit: PureGym)
As one of the country’s biggest gym groups, they’re famed for being cheap and practical, with 24-hour opening times.
Facilities are very good for the price and there are four PureGym gyms in the city centre alone – make that 14 in Greater Manchester. You just have to get used to their weirdly futuristic ‘beam me up, Scotty’ entrance vestibules.
You can get a base membership for just £14.99 on average depending on which venue but you can find out exact details for each place online.
Danny Jones -
10th October 2023 
