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Viral tweet shows the dramatic change in Salford – and not everyone is happy about it

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 25th March 2022

A viral tweet showing the rapid development of Salford has sparked a fierce debate this week.

A pair of images posted side-by-side shows how many buildings have sprung up where there was once only fields.

The pictures were both taken around the Middlewood Locks development, with Beetham Tower looming in the background.

But while the Manchester landmark is surrounded by other buildings in 2022, back in 2008 it was alone on the skyline.

In the last decade, blocks of residential apartments have sprung up in this part of Salford.

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The tweet has even made its way onto the viral Archbishop of Banterbury page.

Many have said it’s encouraging to see so much investment into the region, while others are lamenting the loss of the open space that was here before.

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One person said: “I prefer the picture on the right. This was rough, but a much needed bit of green between the concrete jungles if White City and Salford Quays. Now lost, again. Salford needs houses, but dilapidated estates can be refreshed. Or what, tarmac Chat Moss next?”

Another commented: “One a barren urban landscape, the other with space and wildlife. Which is better?”, to which the original poster asked: “Where do you suppose people live then?”

Someone else wrote: “I’m from the Salford on the right. I’ve just moved back to a neighbourhood just outside Salford because us locals have been priced out of the Salford on the left. I love this city and the growth and investment has both its upsides and downsides, but gentrification means the locals and poorest in the community will always suffer most.”

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Read more: The Manchester restaurant with a menu dedicated entirely to cheese

One person echoed the sentiments of many, that green space should be prioritised in the city, writing: “The picture on the right is much more appealing. Open space, bright, green land. Planning of buildings and space utilisation must be better than this.”

One user added: “Whilst the investment in the city is awesome and provides people with places to live, there is a part of me that will miss these post industrial landscapes as they continue to disappear.”

What do you think? Welcome new housing or the sad loss of green space?

Featured image: Twitter, @HarryHamishGray

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Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford Red Devils given 2 more weeks by HMRC unpaid debts

Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.

The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.

Earlier this month, the Red Devils were officially relegated from the Betfred Super League, leaving Salford supporters not only even more furious but also dropped by the top tier themselves, despite having one of the best fan bases in the country.

To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.

Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.

“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”

It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.

Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.

Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).

“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”

More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.

Eyebrows raised as key coach and director of the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils resigns

Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.

“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.

“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”

You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?

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Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)

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Andy Aspinall issues update on Tom’s eye poke injury and calls for changes in the UFC

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tom Aspinall dad Andy shares update on eye poke injury

Andy Aspinall – father of Manc martial artist Tom Aspinall – has shared a lengthy video interview on his son’s YouTube channel discussing the latest regarding his son’s eye injury.

More importantly, as a concerned parent, he’s also called for better safeguarding and/or tighter rules in the UFC regarding fouls and, in particular, eye poking.

In case you missed it, this past weekend, the Greater Manchester MMA star took on French fighter Ciryl Gane in his first title defence since being named the undisputed heavyweight champion. Unfortunately, the main event match had to be cut short after Aspinall was left unable to see following an eye poke.

Although this is an illegal move in the sport, not only could it not be proved whether it was accidental or perhaps even intentional, as some have speculated on social media, but the only outcome was for the bout to end in a no-contest. Updating fans online, Andy reiterated priorities, dubbing this “just a job”.

As you can see in the main clip above, Andy says that the Atherton-born fighter still “can’t see anything” out of his right eye, describing his sight as little more than “just grey”; meanwhile, his left eye is said to be at roughly 50% vision, having struggled to get more than a few rows down on a Snellen chart.

Essentially, the short version is that after the pain of the controversial eye poke, the muscles in his eye still aren’t healed and will be going for even more eye tests, including an eye test.

However, arguably the most salient points to take away from the video were those regarding his son’s overall welfare and the safety of the sport, as it is clear that Andy was talking chiefly as an understandably worried father rather than his coach.

“For me, everything is about his health. It’s not about the fighting – that’s just what he chose to do as a job”, he says, also clarifying that he isn’t accusing Gane of any ill intent, personally, and that the referees need to have more powers when it comes to fouling.

He also reminded those watching that the Wigan native has a wife and three kids to think about, stating, “This is just a job that he’s doing at this period in time, and he’ll do another job”, before going on to add, “What [will] it take?” for the UFC to get stricter around fouls like these.

You can watch the most recent update on Tom Aspinall from his dad, Andy, in full down below.

Andy Aspinall also had plenty to say in terms of what the UFC can do to better protect fighters/improve the rules.

Andy also made a point of suggesting once again that Tom should maybe turn to boxing instead of MMA, not only because of the added safety measures but because of the bigger paydays.

Do you think the UFC needs to be more stringent when it comes to not only protecting its fighters but also the rules and punishments surrounding serious fouls, such as eye pokes?

AND, alternatively, do you think Tom Aspinall would be well-suited to a boxing ring?

In the immediate aftermath of the injury, he was the first to admit that “this is a dangerous f***ing sport”; whether or not coming this close to permanent damage has made him reconsider, only time will tell.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Official Tom Aspinall (screenshots via YouTube)

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