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Showing posts from January, 2025

We take you on a trip to the world of tomorrow

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Welcome to New New York Since its debut in 1999, Futurama has cemented itself as one of the most beloved animated series of all time.  Author - Liam C Created by Matt Groening, the genius behind The Simpsons , and David X. Cohen, this sci-fi comedy blends sharp humour, heartfelt moments, and cutting-edge satire, making it a cult classic.  With its eccentric characters and unique futuristic setting, Futurama has delivered countless memorable episodes. Here, we look at the best episodes of Futurama that every fan, old or new, must watch. The Luck of the Fryrish (Season 3, Episode 4) An emotional rollercoaster that captures the essence of Futurama. In this episode, Fry seeks to recover his lucky seven-leaf clover from the ruins of Old New York. His journey takes him down memory lane, revealing moments from his pre-freeze life and his relationship with his brother, Yancy. The twist-ending is a gut-punch that managed to encapsulate family bonds and nostalgia, making it one of t...

Battle of the bands: Liverpool v Manchester

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Manchester and Liverpool's rivalry isn't just contained to football.  When discussing British music, it’s impossible to ignore the profound influence of two of the UK’s greatest cultural powerhouses: Manchester and Liverpool.  Author - Sophie T  The neighbouring cities have shaped the global music scene for over six decades, producing iconic bands, pioneering genres, and cementing themselves as musical meccas. From the 1960s to the present day, the vibrant and distinct sounds of Manchester and Liverpool continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The Merseybeat explosion of the 1960s Liverpool’s music legacy exploded in the early 1960s with the Merseybeat movement, spearheaded by The Beatles. Arguably the most famous band of all time, their innovative songwriting, infectious melodies, and global popularity placed Liverpool firmly on the musical map. The Cavern Club, a small underground venue in the heart of the city, became synonymous with the band and the burgeoning m...

Luke Littler is the new Darts world champion!

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An incredible night of Darts! Incredible Luke Littler etched his name into darting history with a crushing 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen to become the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner. Author - Sophie T  The 17-year-old was in unstoppable form as he raced into a 4-0 lead, and despite Van Gerwen getting three sets on the board, he never really threatened a comeback and was always in Littler's rear mirror. Van Gerwen was the previous youngest champion when he won the first of his three world titles in 2014 aged 24, but darting phenomenon Littler smashed that record just as easily as he dealt with the Dutchman on the Alexandra Palace stage. The Warrington teenager Littler managed an incredible average of just over 102 and threw 12 180s in a masterclass as he claimed the £500,000 first prize and lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time in his career. Just looking at the way he handled the pressure of being the favourite and the style of his performances...

Football Manager and Championship Manager icons

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"I remember him from Football Manager" Football fans have adored the Football Manager and Championship series ever since the first iteration back in 1992.  Author - Sophie T  One remarkable thing about these games has been their ability to predict the successful careers of some of football's greatest players. Many successful virtual careers have matched their real-life equivalents, whereas others are still more well known for their virtual exploits.  Let's explore the evolution of the games and some of the players that have been must have signings by gamers and real-life football managers. Zlatan Ibrahimovic The Swedish icon is a great example of a player who was well thought of by managers in the games and in real life. In the 2001/2002 edition of Championship Manager, he was scouted by many virtual managers with many then predicting him to have a successful career in real football. You can read about his actual career by reading European Super Football's pro...

Littler sets up Van Gerwen final

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Could Darts have a new world champion? Luke Littler produced a sensational performance to thrash Stephen Bunting 6-1 and book his place in the PDC World Championship final against Michael van Gerwen. Author - Sophie T  At just 17 years old, Littler is aiming to become the youngest-ever winner of the tournament, a year after finishing as runner-up. Over the past 12 months, the teenager has become a household name in darts. In his semi-final at Alexandra Palace, Littler delivered his best performance of the tournament, averaging 105.48 to overpower his fellow Englishman. Three-time champion Van Gerwen, who defeated Chris Dobey 6-1 in Thursday’s other semi-final, became the youngest winner in 2014 at the age of 24. Click here for football news from across Europe Fourth seed Littler has grown in confidence throughout the tournament and raced into a commanding 4-0 lead against Bunting. He claimed the first set despite Bunting averaging an impressive 113.35 and maintained his domin...

A brief history of the Haçienda and its wider cultural impact

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The Haçienda was an iconic Manchester nightclub  It became famous during the Madchester years of the 1980s and early 1990s. What made it so famous though? Is there any comparable events going on today? Author - Sophie T  Creation The Haçienda was opened on 21 May 1982. Over the first few years, a wide range of musical acts appeared at the club. One of the earliest was the German EBM band Liaisons Dangereuses, which played there on 7 July 1982.  The Smiths performed there three times in 1983. It also served as a venue for Madonna on her first performance in the United Kingdom, on 27 January 1984.  House music In 1986, it became one of the first British clubs to start playing house music, with DJs Hewan Clarke, Greg Wilson and later Mike Pickering and Little Martin hosting the visionary "Nude" night on Fridays. This night quickly became legendary, and helped to turn around the reputation and fortunes of The Haçienda, which went from making a consistent loss to being ...

Could 2025 be an exciting year for video games?

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The video games indutry in 2025 could be very interesting The new year is here, and with it comes a tidal wave of anticipation for some epic releases.  Author - Sophie T  Last year’s Christmas gaming lineup was, let’s be honest, a bit underwhelming. Thankfully, 2025 is shaping up to be a lot livelier. Still, the two biggest mysteries of the year remain: when will Nintendo finally unveil the Switch 2, and is GTA 6 actually coming before autumn? Rockstar seems confident, but let’s not get our hopes up too high until we see something more concrete.  This article will explore what else could be happening over the next twelve months.  Will the Switch console be getting an upgrade in 2025? Almost confirmed new releases September – EA Sports FC 26 After dominating the charts in 2024, you can bet your last quid that EA Sports FC 26 will land this year. The exact date’s still under wraps, but rest assured, it’s coming. It will be interesting to see what improvements EA make...

Luke Littler reaches PDC World Championship last four

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Luke Littler 5 - 2 Nathan Aspinall Luke Littler stormed into the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship with an impressive victory over Nathan Aspinall. Author - Liam C Having survived a scare earlier in the tournament, Littler looked unfazed in his quarter-final clash, starting strongly and maintaining his high standards throughout, averaging over 100 once again.  Although Aspinall had moments where he kept pace, he struggled to find the consistency needed to trouble last year’s runner-up and missed a few crucial chances. Littler’s win sets up a semi-final showdown with Stephen Bunting. Almost everyone loves Luke Watching Luke Littler is so electrifying, so raw and captivating, that it’s easy to forget you’re witnessing an actual sporting contest with an opponent and a finish line. Nathan Aspinall’s rare moments of influence came only when Littler momentarily got swept up in his own momentum, missing a few doubles and briefly losing his edge, giving Aspinall a fleeting – ...

A brief history of a football rivalry...

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A derby match that is so much more than a football rivalry Let's have a look at some memorable moments from the last 25 years that involve the iconic clubs.  Author - Amy W The first encounter The first game between Celtic and Rangers was a friendly in 1888. It´s thought that around 2,000 people were in attendance. It is believed that this could have been greater but for the International Exhibition taking place the same day through in the West End. The most recent encounter - 2024 Scottish League Cup final Celtic 3 - 3 Rangers (Celtic won 5-4 on penalties) Celtic were pushed to their absolute limits but ultimately prevailed in a dramatic Scottish League Cup final against Rangers, decided by a tense penalty shootout. The victory came after an epic 3-3 draw following extra time, extending Brendan Rodgers' remarkable record of never losing at Hampden Park.  Celtic 6 - 2 Rangers. 2000 A game that is still spoken about by Celtic fans today. The game was a sign that Celti...

Our favourite football chants

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We all love a good football chant Let's take you on a trip around the world of football fan and explore some of the unique chants.  Author - Liam C The Manchester United calypso We're no experts on the music industry but Edric Connor's 'Manchester United Calypso' is a masterpiece that captures the spirit and joy of football. Originally released 70 years ago, its legacy continues to resonate with fans. It remains a firm favourite for all associated with the club and speaks volumes about their great history. A version of it was first sung in the 1950s.  You can find more stories on Manchester United by visiting our friends at European Super Football  The Celtic Song “The Celtic Song” is an anthem that has stood the test of time. Its catchy lyrics—“It’s a grand old team to play for, it’s a grand old team to see”—capture the pride fans feel in their club. It's a tune that echoes through Celtic Park, reminding players and fans alike of the club’s proud traditions...