I’m sitting on the sofa in my flat on Thursday evening, laughing to myself as I rewatch Ariana DeBose's ‘Angela Bassett did the thing’ BAFTAs rap for the eight-hundredth time in a row when I hear a massive bang from outside followed by chants and cheers from, what I can only presume, a group of rowdy men.
Mere minutes later, police sirens bellow out as the chanting continues to get louder. As an always-on reporter - I like to think I’m perhaps ‘seasoned’ by this point, but I’m sure many will argue otherwise - I am right on the balcony, eying up the going’s-on in case I need to make my colleagues on shift aware. Then I realise something that changes the narrative slightly: It’s match night and Manchester United have just won.
I am one of the lucky souls to live in Old Trafford (or Stretford, depending on who you ask) right near to Manchester United Stadium and Old Trafford Cricket Ground. When there’s a home game, a cricket tournament, or even a Harry Styles gig, I have a front row view of the sea of crowds making their way to and from each of the venues.
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Like clockwork, our bins become communal as they are filled to the brim with beer cans and chip wrappers, our entrances become unofficial car parking spaces, and our streets become glorified parade routes - either filled with good or bad chanting depending on the outcome of the game. I’m fortunate enough that I’m yet to witness anyone using the outside of my flat as a toilet, but that’s certainly not the case for others as you’ll soon find out.
I’m sure many of you are already thinking that I knew fully well what I was getting myself into when I chose to live here. Well, I give you this in the form of a slight tweak on one of Whitney Houston’s most iconic lyrics: You’re right but it’s not okay.
I’m constantly told by taxi drivers and friends that I’m lucky to live right near the Stadium. I’m always met with shock when I tell them I couldn't care any less about football if I tried and they precede to tell me my flat’s location is wasted on me.
One of the reasons I chose to live here is because I am aware of how good a location it is. There’s easy access to trams and buses to the city centre and there’s even two Iceland supermarkets nearby. Prime real estate really, if you ask me.
In most cases, I don’t actually mind living near the football ground. Sure, I have to be aware that it might be difficult for me to gain access to my road when a game is on or that the trams will be absolutely rammed but, with a bit of forward thinking, it’s generally okay.
But it doesn’t mean I willingly accept that people can use the outside of my flat building as a tip when they pass by. Aware of others like me, it’s something that Trafford Council is actively trying to help resolve by asking residents for their input. We'll get into this more shortly as we kick off today’s Unwind.
As well as looking at my fellow neighbours living near to United’s stomping ground, we’ll also be sharing stories of a 81-year-old fitness instructor and the former asylum seeker given a lifeline.
Grab a brew and a biccie, and let’s be having ya.
‘On match days it's just a chain of events’
Ali Mirage has lived in his terraced home on Sir Matt Busby Way, near to United’s stadium, since 2014. He told reporter James Holt that he has to contend with men urinating in his back alley and being unable to park outside his own home on match days.
Ali’s road is blocked off by police when an event is taking place at the stadium in a bid to control the tens of thousands of fans in attendance. Each time, Ali and his family are forced to park elsewhere.
"I've actually written to our MP because anyone that lives along here or on the street behind us needs a permit. But that doesn't mean you have a reserved space. It's a joke," Ali explains.
"We can't park our cars here at all on match days, so when we then try and park on the street behind us, they all kick up a big fuss even though it isn't reserved for them either. We have to try and sneak our cars in at night.
"The back gates to the alleyway usually stay open, so people sneak in there, take their pants down and urinate. It's a nightmare to be honest, we need the police patrolling the area and the backstreets.”
Trafford Council recently launched a consultation with residents asking them for feedback on ‘anti-social’ fans and what more can be done to help locals during match days. Coun Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “We know that the vast majority of matchday and event fans are well-behaved and a credit to Manchester United and visiting teams.
“However, there is a small minority of anti-social people so we want to find out the impact their behaviour has on the lives of people in our communities around Old Trafford football stadium.”
You can read James’ full report here
A new life in Wigan
A former asylum seeker says he can now start his life over - 12 years after escaping from the Iraq war and struggling with homelessness.
Mohammed Ahmed, known as Mo, ended up living on the streets of Wigan whilst waiting for the Home Office to grant him asylum. But the 38-year-old now can see some 'light in the dark' after being given a home thanks to a new Wigan Council programme called The Brick.
“Before I moved to Wigan I was homeless, I found some accommodation but then I became homeless again,” Mo, who now lives in Atherton, told George Lythgoe.
“I rang the council who sent me to a shelter [The Brick] in Leigh and then I went to a further accommodation in a hotel. The Brick helped me a lot, they offered me a flat - it was really suitable and perfect for me and I really love it.”
Mo says the project, which launched in 2021 to provide services to people who are homeless, has been fundamental in helping him ‘go forward’ in life.
“I didn’t know how to pay bills before, the council team helped me with that,” he explained.
He added he is now going to college to learn English in the hopes of gaining a full-time job. He also hopes to be able to find a way to make contact with his family back home.
“I came from a really scary place, I lost my family,” he said. “My dad passed away when I was young, and I have not seen my mum or sister since I left Iraq. My first plan is to find them now that I have this accommodation. I have spoken to the Red Cross and now they are looking for them.”
George also spoke to other people whose lives have been transformed by The Brick. You can read the full story here
Getting physical with a bit of 'BCS'
Irene Estry could give even the gruntiest of weightlifters a run for their money. The 81-year-old can stretch and strut like a teen and can still do the splits.
Irene, from Whitefield, teaches classes from her home fitness studio and most of those taking part are in their 70s and 80s. Two of her eldest attendees, Rhona Aizenberg, 83, and Ruth Balkin, 89, have been attending her fitness classes for the past 40 years and can both do the splits as well.
Dianne Bourne spoke to Irene about why she does what she does, and how she feels like she’s ‘as fit as a 20 year old’. "Don't think about age,” Irene instructs. “I have no desire to be eternally youthful, just eternally healthy."
Irene grew up in Cheetham Hill with her mother who was a meditation teacher and her father who was a boxer - so was always around fitness from a young age. But it was not until she was 37 that she would learn the Lottie Burke techniques that would form the basis of the exercise classes she continues to run twice weekly.
Growing up in Cheetham Hill, with a meditation teacher and a boxer as parents, Irene says she has always been around fitness from a young age but it was only when she was 37 that she got her fitness classes underway. Over the years, she’s worked with the likes of Helen Worth, Michelle Collins and Denise Welch whilst serving as Granada Studios’ resident fitness guru.
"I eat a bit of everything,” she confidently says. “I’ve devised an eating plan called BCS."
“It stands for bloody common sense," she laughs. "I write it down for busy women because diets don’t work - it’s not sustainable. I discovered if you cut out caffeine and sugar between meals then that works.”
You can find out more about the inspiration that is Irene right here
Thanks for reading - have a lovely weekend!
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