The Hundred has made a spectacular return to Emirates Old Trafford this summer, with fast-paced sporting action, live music, and amazing local street food.
Our very own Manchester Originals will be back on home turf on Wednesday 31 August, playing London’s Oval Invincibles.
Manchester Originals’ teams are packed with cricketing talent, with the women’s team led by Manchester-born pace bowler Kate Cross, and explosive batter Laurie Evans heading up the men’s team.
Ahead of the final fixture at Emirates Old Trafford, we had a chat with two of the incredible players to see exactly what makes The Hundred so special.
Laurie Evans is a batter known for piling on quick runs wherever he’s played, while all-rounder Ellie Threlkeld is a phenomenal keeper and former Wigan Athletic footballer.
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If you like the sound of The Hundred – and how could you not? – you can grab tickets to see Manchester Originals playing at the tournament here: thehundred.com/fixtures.
What sets The Hundred apart from other cricketing events?
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Manchester Originals will be at The Hundred at Emirates Old Trafford next week. Credit: Supplied (Nathan Stirk ECB via Getty Images)
Laurie: The Hundred amplifies everything that is great about cricket, it really does go that one step beyond. We’ve got the best top 100 English players coming together, with some of the best international cricketers, in the height of the British summer – it’s a blend of real sporting genius and loads of fun! The Hundred is also super accessible to a wide range of people, it’s always great to see families and people of all ages come out to watch some amazing cricket. There’s something in there for everyone.
Ellie: Something so unique and important about The Hundred is the fact that the men and women’s games are equal. There’s the same buzz regardless of which team is playing and it really engages a broader audience for that reason. It’s inspiring to be part of a world class tournament that champions both genders and I’d hope that anyone watching The Hundred can be inspired to give cricket a go! It really is an amazing sport and The Hundred brings all of that together, with such a community spirit behind it.
What were your highlights from last year?
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Ellie Threlkeld of Manchester Originals. Credit: Matt Lewis – ECB/ECB via Getty Images
L: Aside from the actual games, a major highlight for me last year was one evening on the train home another passenger recognised me in my kit and we got talking. He worked at a summer football camp and said usually all the kids talk about is premiership football but for once they couldn’t stop talking about cricket and The Hundred! That, for me, sums up exactly what The Hundred is all about – building that buzz, creating quality entertainment, and inspiring the next generation of cricketers along the way.
E: The first match of the inaugural tournament was at the Kia Oval and the atmosphere was electric – the excitement for this new cricket event, playing in one of the best grounds in the world alongside international stars was an unparalleled feeling. Just look at the crowd we brought in at the first game, for a stand-alone woman’s game it was just brilliant and has set the tone for what we’ve already seen this year with even bigger audiences.
E: Seeing new people engage with cricket! The Hundred offers something to its audience that is unique, it’s about fun, celebration, community, and togetherness all in one. Seeing the young kids getting excited is also so cool, me and a few of the team have been stopped around Manchester by some young fans recognising us.I truly think the tournament has the potential to go a long way in attracting new people to the sport, regardless of sex, age and background, which excites me. Oh – and me and the girls are very pleased to have DJ Roesh with us again at Emirates Old Trafford, he’s provided a great soundtrack to the tournaments, with a few requests from us along the way…
L: Some of the world’s best cricketers, hottest music acts and finest food vendors are coming together – it really is a must-see event that I’m honoured to be at the centre of. Seeing the fans enjoy themselves, hearing the cheers and just generally feeling the buzz around the city is fantastic.
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What are your favourite things about being part of Manchester Originals?
Laurie Evans of Manchester Originals. Credit: Photo by Alex Pantling – ECB/ECB via Getty Images
L: Manchester is, I think, easily one of the best cities in the UK with its rich history across music and sport. We’ve got a great mix of international quality and local talent in both our squads and have the opportunity to make history for the Manchester team. The atmosphere in Emirates Old Trafford is also unparalleled.
E: To me, being part of Manchester Originals is so amazing because I’m a local. I started playing for Lancashire when I was nine and it’s been such a huge part of my life, so being a key part of the Manchester team in The Hundred is really special. Playing with some of the best international talent, representing the area I grew up in is for sure my favourite thing about being part of the Manchester Originals team. And the women’s team is amazing! I’ve made great friends and I’m constantly learning from some of the best.
What does a typical day look like for you during a season?
E: During a season we usually train about three or four times a week, that includes everything from batting, fielding and wicket keeping. There are a few gym sessions and running sessions in there too! Diet wise, it’s all about fuelling and recovering – but not being too harsh on yourself of course, enjoyment is a key part of the process.
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L: At the minute it’s waking up and getting a message from half the team asking if my coffee machine is usually working – that’s usually about 7.30am and then it’s straight to training for between four and six hours. When it’s not a match day, we spend most of the day training, but I like to sneak a bit of golf in when I get the chance – that’s been one of the highlights of being based in Manchester to be honest, there’s some great golf courses around the city.
What do you love most about Manchester?
L: The Mancunian spirit is great, I’ve come across so many friendly people and there’s a general buzz around the place that you don’t get in other cities. Just look at the music line-up for some of The Hundred games – there’s loads of Manchester talent on there which really represents the unique culture of the city. I’m looking forward to getting tucked into a bit more music and I’ve seen some great looking coffee shops that I also can’t wait to try. The chance to explore the city a bit more is exciting, especially being new to the Manchester Originals team.
E: Manchester is home. I’ve grown up in and around Manchester, it’s where my friends are, where my family is and where my love for cricket began. Emirates Old Trafford specifically feels like home to me, it’s friendly, sociable, and inclusive and I can’t think of a better place to have grown up and developed my cricketing skills.
Featured image: Alex Pantling – ECB/ECB via Getty Images
Sport
Manchester City hit with backlash from season ticket holders after ‘divisive’ North Stand update
Danny Jones
Manchester City have shared a new update on the impending North Stand expansion and concourse upgrade, but the most recent reveal has been met with plenty of backlash from supporters set to suffer the consequences.
The Etihad is currently undergoing a major transformation that will see numerous new facilities added to the wider campus experience – most notably the increased capacity of the North Stand, which will make room for a further 7,000 or so fans.
Back in March, the club revealed the official brand partners for their upcoming on-site hotel, which will also accompany a new sky bar and rooftop stadium walk experience as part of the wider plans, but while adding more seats and things for matchgoers to do sounds good on paper, it’s come at a cost for many.
Reacting to the news of social media, many regular fans are now set to be forced out of their seats to make way for more hospitality sections at the end of the stadium, meaning the post has proved ‘divisive’ to say the least.
Are you joking? I’ve sat in the same seat for almost 20 years and this is how I find out I’m ‘relocating’. It’s an absolute disgrace the way you’re treating loyal fans in favour of tourists. I was there when we were shit, do you think they will be here if we go to shit again?
As you can see, both Blues, neutrals, and even rivals alike are expressing their shock and disappointment in not only the decision but the manner in which the announcement was made.
One person said on X: “You turfed me and hundreds of others out of our seats four seasons ago when you dug them up for digital signage. We were all split up and had to scrape around for new seats. Had enough of all the new rules and digital tickets/transfers. I sit on my sofa now and save £3k.
Reply in the comments underneath the response, a Manchester United fan added: “I don’t like City, but this is something I can stand with [fans] on.”
Even well-known online commentators like ‘HLTCO’ (Hopkin Looking To Curl One), a.k.a. Dan Cook – a notable Crystal Palace die-hard – shared his two cents online.
“Man City season ticket holders are being told that they’re being permanently moved from the seats they’ve had for years to accommodate a new corporate seating area”, he wrote, adding: “This is the sort of thing that fans everywhere have to push back against; these clubs see us as a nuisance.”
In terms of what the stadium overhaul looks like, the latest CGIs show the first proper glimpse of the new ‘Cross Bar’ that will “offer a relaxed, social atmosphere” for around 300 fans, as well as the new ‘City Hall’ concourse area, which will cater to around 500 punters both on game-days and beyond.
As detailed in the full statement on the club website, they have insisted that they will be supporting those “may need to move seats ahead of the commencement of the 2026/27”, clarifying that no one will need to be relocated to accommodate the Cross Bar, specifically.
They go on to add: “We understand that relocating seats may be unsettling, and we are here to support these fans”. They have promised things like a “priority relocation window” and, most crucially, a guarantee that they won’t have to pay more to sit in what is typically a more expensive stadium block.
However, while they have also assured that people will be able to move groups of seats so as to stay around their friends, as explained by a user above, this is easier said than done and ticket uncertainty remains a big concern among the fan base.
What do you make of the latest Etihad Stadium news, City fans?
Altrincham FC name new interim coach after sacking long-serving manager Phil Parkinson
Danny Jones
Altrincham FC have sacked their long-term manager Phil Parkinson after eight years and an unfortunate winless run.
The Greater Manchester club dismissed ‘Parky’ after nearly the best part of a decade, following the loss on penalties in the tie against Winsford United (6-5) and a long series of defeats and a couple of draws.
For context, they’ve picked up just a single point in the National League, and they haven’t won since the 2-1 victory over Sutton United on 6 September.
Subsequently, Alty FC had little choice but to change things up, with Parkison and his right-hand man being reluctantly let go and his temporary replacement having already been restored.
Confirming the decision on Thursday, 24 October, the club wrote in a statement: “Altrincham FC have today parted company with Manager Phil Parkinson and Assistant Manager Neil Sorvel.
“Given recent form and the current league position, it is clear that results have not met expectations. The Board therefore believes a change of direction is necessary at this point in the season.
“The Board wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Phil and Neil for their outstanding contribution over the past nine years. Their achievements, professionalism, and commitment have played a major role in shaping the modern-day Altrincham FC.
“A full tribute reflecting on their time with the club will be published on the official website in due course.”
More importantly, they have assured that the hunt for a new full-time “leadership team within the football department – one fully aligned with the Board’s long-term vision for the club” – has begun.
Chairman Mark Luby also made sure to reiterate that Parkinson and Sorvel have left the club “in a much stronger position than when they arrived” and, as well as recognising their achievements in that time, assured that the decision was “extremely difficult”.
As for who has been tasked with lifting them from 20th in the table, former Wealdstone FC duo Neil Gibson and his assistant Lee Jones are now in place.
We are pleased to confirm that Neil Gibson has been appointed to lead the team on an interim basis, joining immediately alongside Assistant Lee Jones.
Having already navigated a side to safety from the drop zone last season, Luby clearly believes the pair to be a shrewd appointment.
“The impact they had under challenging circumstances at Wealdstone was impressive by any measure”, he says, “and they demonstrated clear leadership under pressure”, adding that Gibson’s contacts in the game and vision on how to improve things on the pitch should help steady the ship.
Quickly put in post and preparing for the game against Braintree Town this weekend, the new Robins boss said:“I’m proud to be here. When the club shared its ambitions and the immediate challenges ahead, I felt there was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, and I was excited to accept.
“While the Board focuses on the recruitment of a permanent Manager, Lee and I will give everything to move this team up the table and build momentum as quickly as possible.
“I know how passionate the supporters are, and I look forward to speaking with them more fully in due course and to seeing the travelling fans at Cressing Road on Saturday.” Principal sponsors AO are also helping fund the 600-mile round-trip journey for 57 supporters next month against Truro City, too.
Daisy Jackson -
26th August 2022 
