Sport

Man City legend Steph Houghton is being inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame

What a legacy she's left behind.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd May 2024

Manchester City Women have confirmed that club legend and long-serving captain, Steph Houghton MBE, is being inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.

As announced on Wednesday, 22 May, Houghton’s induction will take place next month, where she’ll join former teammate and fellow Lioness Jill Scott who was added in December last year.

She’s just the second female Man City star to ever be added to the Hall of Fame and one of only a handful of Blues full stop.

A huge moment of recognition for the 36-year-old Durham-born defender, who has made 242 appearances for the club over the course of a decade and recently became the first player to play 150 games in the Women’s Super League – a full century of those being wins.

Having won eight trophies with City, more than any other player since the club relaunched in 2014, and having retired at the end of this season, she’s left quite the mark on the women’s game.

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Her legacy stretches far beyond just club football too, having been a part of the Euro 2022 and Finalissima-winning Lionesses side, as well as starring at the 2012 London Olympics for Team GB.

Speaking in an official statement via the club, Houghton said of the induction: “I’m honoured to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame so soon after announcing my retirement from football.

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“It is a prestigious list, with less than 200 players, managers and teams inducted so I am very humbled. I share the recognition with my teammates, managers, coaches, club support staff and family, who have all contributed so much to my career.

“Without them then I wouldn’t have achieved the success and enjoyment that I had in football.”

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Steph Houghton will be officially inducted into the National Football Museum‘s Hall of Fame following a special presentation at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, 12 June.

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As for the club themselves, they simply said: “Everyone at Manchester City would like to congratulate Steph on another incredible achievement.” – and there have been a lot of them.

She will be sorely missed not just by the City faithful but by football fans all over and what a fitting way to sign off an incredible career.

A captain and a role model for the next generation.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester City/The Manc Group

Sport

BOX launch football lookalike competition where you can win free pints and bar tabs during the Euros

Danny Jones Danny Jones BOX sports bar football lookalike competition Euro 2024

BOX on Deansgate has launched a brand new lookalike competition where football fans can win free pints and bar tabs during the Euros this summer.

The popular chain of sports bars has multiple locations all over the country and is sure to be packed through Euro 2024. It also turns out the brand is hoping to fill its various venues with some of the best football lookalikes possible as part of a fun new giveaway.

Pretty much promising exactly what it says on the tin, the new competition will see those fortunate enough to bear a resemblance to famous footballers be handed free pints throughout the tournament. It really is as simple as that.

There’s even the chance for the most impressive footballing doppelgänger to win a table of six plus a whopping £250 at your BOX site of choice for the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, 14 July. Say no more, we’re about to get a Phil Foden trim like yesterday.

Entry terms are simple: to join you simply need to submit a photo of yourself, a friend or a family member who you believe looks similar to a footballing star.

The easiest way to take part is to tag @theboxbaruk in your Instagram story with your lookalike image using the hashtag #BOXDOPPLEGANGER, then send a direct message containing your entry.

Probably the best part about all of this is that you get a free pint just for taking part – and no, we’re not joking. Anywhere offering free pints whilst the footy’s on get a thumbs up from us. May the best football lookalike win!

The fun doesn’t stop there though: a weekly Euros-themed quiz every Wednesday at BOX Deansgate to test fans’ knowledge; their famous ‘Bandeoke’ is on every Thursday, as well as live bands and DJs on Fridays and Saturdays to guarantee the party continues long after full-time.

Football fans can also treat themselves to a number of European-inspired delights with a limited-edition Euro 2024 food and drink menu, featuring Currywurst Loaded Fries, Bavarian Burgers and the ‘Olympian’ pizza. Plus, you can get two-pint beer steins, mini-kegs and a host of other footy-themed drinks.

BOX’s football lookalike competition is one of many reasons it’s a great place to watch the Euros. (Credit: Supplied)

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As always with these things, full T&Cs apply (i.e. only one entry per person) but the whole thing is pretty straightforward and you can find out more information on their website.

Laura Lewis, Marketing Director at ARC Inspirations, commented: “We’re excited for EURO 2024 to kick off a huge summer of sport at BOX. This competition is the perfect start, and we can’t wait to see all the entrants and crown the overall winner. We’re looking forward to welcoming fans at our venues and hopefully celebrating a successful summer for the England team!”

“The football is just the tip of the iceberg. We will be showing all the major sporting events, like the Cricket T20 World Cup, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. We can’t wait to see our venues filled with fans having a great time and watching their favourite sports. Not only is BOX the ultimate bar to watch, it’s also the ultimate venue to play and party this summer.”

BOX quickly found its way onto our list of where to watch the Euros in Manchester city centre and to find out what other venues we think are among the best places to witness the football finally come home (you best believe it is), look no further:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — BOX (supplied)

Sport

WWE Live is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena this year

Danny Jones Danny Jones WWE Live tickets Manchester Co-op Live

Another huge coup for Co-op Live as they have announced that WWE Live has chosen the brand-new venue for the return to Manchester.

The global wrestling phenomenon last came to the city back in 2021 and it looks like our shiny new arena has done enough to beckon them for some more Manc hospitality.

Confirmed on Friday, 14 June, WWE Live – a night of house wrestling shows that aren’t part of the annual televised programming – is set to land at Europe’s biggest indoor entertainment venue this fall, with the date currently scheduled for 16 October.

In case you’re not a wrestling fan and don’t understand the gravity of the fan base all over the world, this is going to be absolutely massive and is exactly why the arrival of Co-op Live is huge for Manchester.

As detailed in an official press release from WWE UK, “Fans attending WWE Live will see their favourite WWE Superstars in action, including Undisputed WWE Champion, ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes and Women’s Champion, Bayley.

Other wrestlers performing on the night include WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, industry legend Randy Orton, as well as LA Knight, AJ Styles and ‘Queen of the Ring’ Nia Jax; Kevin Owens, The Bloodline, Bobby Lashley, The Street Profits and many more.

The best part of all is that those going along to WWE Live in Manchester will be the only people to witness the action inside the stadium as these shows aren’t broadcast anywhere.

Just think, you’ll get to watch an exclusive night of one of the biggest sporting events on the planet that nobody else will ever have the pleasure of seeing. Not often you can say that.

WWE live manchester 2024
wrestling in manchester
Credit: Miguel Discart (via Flickr)

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If you’re a Manchester-based wrestling fan, we don’t think we even need to convince you to grab a seat for this one, so we’ll just tell you the details and leave you to it.

Though the Manchester date isn’t live yet, general admission tickets for WWE Live will be available from 10am on Friday, 21 June 21 and you can be ready to grab yours HERE.

Further information can be found on the WWE events page.

This is just the second sporting event to be confirmed for the arena, with fights fans are already excited to see the UFC returning to Manchester for the time since 2016, but not everyone is so happy about the start times.

Manchester MMA star Tom Aspinall slams ‘unfair’ start times for UFC 304 at Co-op Live

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — WWE Live/Co-opLive

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