Stockport’s Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey has been unveiled as Manchester Metropolitan University’s latest faculty member, being named a Visiting Professor of Sport.
The Poynton-born swimmer turned cyclist, who boasts over 40 world titles and a whopping 62 medals overall, is the greatest British Para-athlete of all time, having won a record 17 gold medals across two disciplines and eight different Paralympic Games.
Safe to say with all that silverware, her incredible career which spans more than three decades makes her beyond the perfect person to serve as a university professor on a short-term contract ahead of the Paris 2024, not to mention keeping expertise local as a Greater Manchester native.
Working with Man Met‘s sports scientists on everything from preparation for the Summer Olympic Games to the impact of the menstrual cycle on female sports performance, Storey’s expertise will serve as a vital addition to the uni’s and its “mission to push [the] boundaries of sport and health to improve lives and shape society.”
We're delighted to welcome Britain’s most decorated Paralympian @DameSarahStorey as a Visiting Professor of Sport. 👏 👏
As well as bringing her expertise to our research, she's training with our sport scientists ahead of @Paris2024.
Sarah Storey has been named as a Visiting Professor in the lead-up to this summer’s Olympics.
Writing in the announcement of her new role, the Director of the MMU Institute of Sport, Professor Tim Cable, said: “As the most successful British Paralympian of all time, as well as someone who has close links to our city through her role as Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, I am delighted to welcome Sarah as a Visiting Professor.
ADVERTISEMENT
“With her distinguished career and existing links with our University, Sarah will bring a wealth of experience, passion and knowledge that will help us develop our research and ensure it can make a difference to the city of Manchester and [the] wider region.
“Most importantly, we know that the experience that Sarah brings from her success as an elite athlete can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of other people.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is this translational approach that will see our Institute of Sport deliver benefits for communities regionally, nationally and across our world.”
Having been given an honorary Master’s degree and doctorate in 2003 and ’09, respectively, the 46-year-old has continued to work with the institution ever since, teaming up with the Institute of Sport between 2011 and 2017 during her own training, as well as using the Manchester Fashion Institute to design a range of leisurewear to complement her elite Storey Racing team’s technical race clothing.
A serial winner and inspiration among the para-athletics community. (Credit: Steve./Richard Turner via Flickr)
Speaking on the appointment herself, the sporting icon and 43-time world champion now based in Disley, Cheshire, said: “I’m very excited to take up the role of Visiting Professor at the Institute of Sport.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is a huge honour to have the opportunity to work with students across the University and get involved with research projects to really help Manchester Met achieve its goals and ambitions.
“The goals that the University has for its students, staff and wider community really align with my values. I hope to bring a unique perspective to the Institute of Sport through my 33 years’ experience as an elite athlete to help support both the teaching and research that is helping people from all backgrounds to live better and healthier lives through sport and exercise”.
She went on to explain how she started working with the uni “without even really knowing” via their partnership with the British Swimming team and said the offer was one she “simply couldn’t turn down” as she and Team GB look to build an “absolutely perfect” training programme ahead of Paris 2024.
Here’s hoping it’s another tournament draped in plenty of medals.
Stockport County confirm signing of new striker Adama Sidibeh
Danny Jones
Stockport County Football Club have officially unveiled the signing of new striker, Adama Sidibeh, from St Johnstone FC.
This comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether or not the deal for the forward was going to be done, despite his medical having already been passed.
Sidibeh was linked with a move from the Scottish Premiership quite early in the January transfer window, and the transfer fee had already reportedly been agreed, but there was apparently to be some contention over personal terms.
However, it seems the impasse has now been overcome and a full agreement reached, with the Hatters finally announcing the completion of his deal on Tuesday, 27 January.
As you can see, the Gambian international is no stranger to England nor the North West, having moved back to the UK to be with his family in 2022, before going on to join local Stockport club Cheadle Heath Nomads in 2022.
Moving on to nearby Cheshire outfit Warrington Rylands FC the following season, he continued to prove himself as a quick and consistent goal threat, ultimately sealing a switch to The Saints in 2024.
Sidibeh’s transfer fee from St Johnstone to SCFC remains undisclosed.
Penning a two-and-a-half-year contract, the latest County recruit is the third signing of the January transfer window so far, following the most recent arrival of Josh Dacres-Cogley from Bolton Wanderers earlier this month.
Having been given the number 26, he is the latest offensive reinforcement at Edgeley Park as they look to enjoy a fairly ‘aggressive’ window, as promised.
Speaking on his new home in a club statement, the 27-year-old said: “I’m so excited to be [sitting] here now as a Stockport County player.
“It’s a town and a club I already know so well from my time at Nomads, which made it an easy decision for me and my family to come here once we heard that County were interested.
“I can’t wait to get going now, to start my career in the Football League and to play in front of 10,000 fans at Edgeley Park. I’ve worked very hard to get to this place in my career since moving to England, and will work even harder now I’m here to help the team as we go for promotion.”
As for his new manager, Dave Challinor made it clear they were keen to capitalise on his contract running out, adding that apart from being a bit of a late bloomer in pro football, “he’s a real hard worker that provides real intensity in his press. and really wants to threaten defenders both in and out of possession.”
“He’s scored all types of goals at every level he’s played at, but this will, without doubt, be a step up for him” – it just remains to be seen how he’ll take to the League One and wider EFL challenge.
Featured Images — Stockport County FC (publicity pictures)
Sport
Manchester United officially launch second Adidas fashion collab with The Stone Roses
Danny Jones
After several weeks of teasers, the latest fashion collab between Adidas, Manchester United and The Stone Roses has officially revealed.
We have no doubt this one will be lapped up just as quickly as the first.
Following images of the new Stone Roses x Man United kit and the focal point of this new collection being leaked online earlier this month, the second drop by Adidas has now been unveiled in full.
Releasing another stylistic video to the tune of the legendary Manc band’s famous anthem, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, players both past and present from the men’s and women’s team star in the launch video.
As you can see, not only did the players get involved with the shoot as expected, but the clip also includes a snippet of archive footage featuring a young Ian Brown in a short but profound talking head.
The Stone Roses frontman, and indeed other members of the band, have never made their love of United a secret – none more so than the late, great Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield – and the supporters have also shared plenty of it back.
Be it through ‘This Is The One’ being chosen by Gary Neville as the official walk-out song at Old Trafford and various chants sung to Stone Roses tunes, to the previous collab back in February 2024, the two iconic cultural brands pretty much go hand in hand.
Besides the next multi-coloured paint-splashed shirt, which leaked first, as well as a new bucket hat (again, very era appropriate), there are scarves, a graphic design t-shirt, two sets of shorts and even two different pairs of shoes.
Images of the white Stone Roses trainers also popped up in leaks across various Man United fan accounts on social media, but few had seen the black ZX 600 Adidas trainers until now.
What do you make of the latest batch of lifestyle fashion from the club?
Meanwhile, with just days left in the transfer window, it remains to be seen whether new interim manager Michael Carrick will be rewarded for his first two wins against the top two in the league with any reinforcements before the end of January – but there are some rumblings…
Danny Jones -
23rd January 2024 
