The city of Manchester is renowned for several reasons: Joy Division, Happy Mondays, Madchester, Coronation Street. But more recently Manchester has become a haven for sport fans who can literally track everything in the continually evolving world of sport.

Football fans here are like spoiled little children, as the city boasts both the best and the richest teams in the world. Whether a red or a blue, remarkable talent is just on their doorstep, the possibility of witnessing Robinho rambling around the Arndale or Wayne Rooney busting a groove in Sankeys is at least conceivable if not disturbing. The two clubs promise to be a major force in world football as United spread their already domineering presence and City, powered by a jet pack loaded with pound notes, follows them. Expect more illustrious names and ridiculously priced motors roaming around Manchester in the near future. 

Lancashire cricket fans maybe a bit peeved that their headquarters are situated at Old Trafford, but for proud Mancunians who enjoy watching Anderson swinging the ball, eternally it sometimes seems, and Freddie blasting it into Yorkshire, they won’t mind it’s just over the road. In the summer, there will be no Ashes test, much to the horror of the traditionalists, but still the chance to see some top class cricket remains as the county attempt to mount a challenge for the County Championship which has eluded them for many years. Strange to think of a Manchester outfit yearning for trophies! 

England’s big three sports are football, cricket and of course rugby and Manchester can proudly claim sanctuary for all three. Sale Sharks are the city’s representative and just like all the rest it seems can also brag about their triumphs. The team is currently in the Guinness Premiership, a competition they won in 2006, and boasts many of Rugby’s finest including the colossal Andrew Sheridan.

However, the eclectic range of sports in Manchester branches further than the recognised English games. The Commonwealth Games, Netball World Series and World Squash Championships were all held in Manchester, making underrepresented sports accessible to everyone. 

Any keen cyclists will be aware that Manchester recently hosted the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, runners will be marking down the days on the calendar for the Great Manchester Run in May, even skiing has place! Although, sadly not on the Pennines, but the Chill Factore for anyone who fancies sloping it out.

Another more niche sport that Manchester can accommodate for is Greyhound Racing. Whilst people may scoff and splutter as I attempt to include it as a legitimate sport, nevertheless I do see it as further reason to get down to Manchester, going to the dogs is certainly not an energetic experience but the heart will get good exercise if you dig deep enough and bravely decide to have a flutter.

To list the entire amount of sport that can be played or viewed in Manchester is an endless and truthfully tedious prospect. By the way, any tennis fans? There is a regional centre in the city, so don’t worry I haven’t forgotten, in fact I urge you all to go down there after our uninspiring display in a recent Davis Cup tie. 

With Manchester having an unquenchable thirst for a liquid assortment of sports it’s certainly a place to consume. If England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup is successful then the likes of Brazil and France will be in Manchester (that was for the fantasists). So, as sportsman unite around the country to fix their eyes on England’s sportiest city, I guess there’s one thing left to say, “You gotta roll with it.”

Jamie Bullen