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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.