This is not what we expected to see whilst scrolling through social media today.
Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t possibly get anymore eventful if it tried, a bizarre looking creature – that has been described as having “four flippers” – has washed up on a beach in Southport and people genuinely haven’t a clue what it is.
Really, they have no idea.
The currently unidentified and most-certainly deceased creature was spotted on Ainsdale Beach in Southport on Wednesday and according to eyewitnesses, is reportedly located “past the posts” between Ainsdale village and Freshfield (Formby).
Posted to the Ainsdale Facebook page, the caption accompanying the pictures of the beached creature reads: “Can anyone guess what this is on Ainsdale Beach. Elephant? Whale? Monster?”
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“Bizarrely it has/had 4 flippers [which was] most odd [and it] was approx 15ft long.”
It might not have yet been confirmed what this creature actually is, but that sure hasn’t stopped Facebook users chucking their wild predictions into the comments section.
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Whale, cow, horse, deer, camel and donkey were all possible suggestions thrown into the ring, and some even thought that it could be a woolly mammoth, but considering they’ve been extinct for over 10,000 years, we can fairly confidently rule that one out and hope those aren’t our famous last words.
The most common and likely suggestions are pointing towards it being a walrus, but honestly, who knows?
One user commented: “the way 2020 is going, it could be a dinosaur” and that just about sums it up.
If you were expecting to get to the end of this article and be met with confirmation of what in fact this creature actually this, then we’re sorry to disappoint – we don’t have an answer.
The admin at the Ainsdale Facebook page has gone onto disprove a couple of common guesses – including cow, horse, seal and sea lion – and has also confirmed that they have “sent pictures off to a specialist and will update once [they] know”, so that’s all we have for you at this moment in time.
The only thing we’re sure of now is that we’re glad we weren’t eating our tea when we came across these pictures.
If you are though, then we can really only apologise.
Whilst we wait with bated breath until someone with genuine authority can confirm what the heck this actually is, let us know what your predictions are in the comments below.
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Erling Haaland breaks yet another Premier League record after nine-goal thriller
Danny Jones
Erling Haaland has broken his umpteenth record since arriving in the Premier League and donning a Manchester City shirt, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals in the competition.
Let’s be honest, are any of us surprised?
While yet another goal from Haaland and entering himself into the 100 club was a notable narrative on the night, the real headline, however, was that scoreline, as City barely escaped by the skin of their teeth.
Despite persisting questions surrounding the Blues’ defence, it was nevertheless a landmark moment for the Norwegian number nine, who remains the most prolific striker on the planet. Here’s how he did it:
Commenting on the achievement on social media, the big blonde bagsman simply wrote, “When football takes you to places you could never have imagined” – signing off with a ‘100’ emoji, of course.
Despite it being reiterated that he doesn’t think too much about the various milestones he continues to surpass with each passing game, he admitted he knew about this particular one and was visibly chuffed with being in such good company.
For context, it took Haaland 111 matches to score his 100th goal in the division, which is 13 appearances quicker than the next fastest Premier League legend, Alan Shearer, who took 124 games to reach the tally when the modern era of the top flight first began three decades ago.
You can see who else has achieved the feat and how fast here:
Even more impressively, this wasn’t the only rather incredible statistic that came from the fixture either, as he walked away with a frankly ridiculous bit of pedigree among the strikers’ union.
As well as his opening goal, which well and truly opened the floodgates (at both ends, as it turned out), Haaland was caught offside in a PL away game for the first time in more than TWO whole years, the last occasion being against Sheffield United in August 2023.
To quote a post we saw on X, “Do you know how crazy a stat this is?…”
If you didn’t manage to catch the game on Tuesday night, we seriously recommend you watch the many highlights from the win over Fulham down below.
More Metrolink disruption expected as further tram strikes have been scheduled
Danny Jones
Further disruption to the Bee Network is now expected during an already full-on time of year, as more Metrolink tram strikes have been scheduled over the festive period.
Put in the simplest terms, members of Unite the Union have said: “The dispute is over driver fatigue and fears that their shift patterns and lack of rest breaks are putting them and passengers at risk.”
As a result, they have now pencilled in protests on 19, 20 and 31 December, holding walkouts from their usual timetable.
A largely empty St Peter’s Square tram stop is a fairly rare sight to see. (Credit: The Manc)
In addition to the other pair of strikes planned for this coming weekend (5-7 Dec), the latest trio have been specifically timed in and around key dates on the city’s calendar.
As well as the return of Manchester’s firework display on St. Peter’s Square, the walk-outs will also coincide with a Manchester City fixture at the Etihad Stadium, as well as notable live music gigs like Jools Holland and Manc band, Doves.
Naturally, tens upon tens of thousands are set to use the Bee Network and trams, in particular, to travel to these events – reiterating just how important properly investing and staffing the Metrolink and other arms of Manchester’s public transport service is.
The most recent update from the union continues: “Unite has repeatedly raised issues with management, but has been told there is no funding available for improvements to working patterns.”
Their General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said as part of the most recent statement: “Driver fatigue is a serious problem. Our members are raising serious concerns about their and their passengers’ safety, but Metrolink management is burying its head in the sand.
“Management must sort this problem out once and for all. It can’t try to fob drivers off by putting profits before safety.”
Here are some of the scenes from the demonstrations earlier this year:
⏰HAPPENING NOW; when Transport for Greater Manchester wouldn't come to the table SO the strikers brought the table (*and chairs) to them! We're ready when you are TfGM. pic.twitter.com/io1OFHED8I
Union members have also clarified their position surrounding ‘fatigue’; it isn’t just the fear of possible risks in operating a tram whilst being “exhausted”, but both the wider mental and physical toll that working the current shift patterns has on workers.
One driver quoted as saying: “My colleagues are tired, but the fatigue is also giving them cold-like symptoms and many have been going off sick with stress, which adds to problems with staffing levels.”
So, if you’re planning on using the Metrolink this holiday season when travelling around for Christmas shopping or even just going home, make sure to keep the strike dates in mind.
Elsewhere, the Bee Network has also provided more information on the designs to bring tram lines to Stockport town centre. Read more down below.
Emily Sergeant -
30th July 2020 
