Little Copacabana

The World Cup has started and, like many of you, I have a full-blown case of World Cup fever. For the next month, my evenings are likely to be planned around who's playing who on the box. But with the UK offering up its longest and warmest days in the next few weeks, sitting indoors on the sofa isn't the best way to spend the summer.

Thankfully, as always, God's favourite city has provided and there is now a tiny slice of Rio right in the heart of Manchester. Ian Brown famously said "Manchester has everything except a beach". Well, now it does, thanks to one of the city's cultural bastions, ITV. Fever Pitch is a pop-up stadium/fan park built on the car park of the old Granada Studios, and is definitely the best place to watch the World Cup in Manchester. Working with churrascaria (Portuguese BBQ) specialists, Bem Brasil, ITV have shipped in 450 tonnes of sand, 2,00 seats and a healthy dose of World Cup fever.

Complete with Roy Hodgson sand sculpture and two big screens, there's plenty of opportunity to soak up the 'Little Copacabana' atmosphere and enjoy the football, whether it's England or one of the more likely winners. ITV have also brought in international beach soccer teams of their own to provide the entertainment between games.

For weekend or after-work socialising, it's a great alternative to the pub. Heineken on tap at £4 a pint and reasonably priced options off the grill from Bem Brasil are a great addition to a unique experience.

The atmosphere is what really makes it though. Everyone gets invested in the football and, with the chance to watch the games from down on the beach, it definitely beats lounging on the sofa. I went down to watch the holders, Spain, capitulate to Holland, and it was great to see the neutrals pick a side and stick to it (Louis Van Gaal and RVP may have had something to do with it).

There's also plenty to keep you entertained if the footy isn't up to scratch. Half-time entertainment comes courtesy of Spanish cheerleaders and samba girls direct from sunny Stockport - what more could you ask for?

Tickets (free) are generally sold out, but there is limited availability if you want to walk up on the day. And don't forget to bring your brolly, it is Manchester after all...

read more "Little Copacabana"

Day With The Brigade

It's been 13 years since Roy Keane made those infamous comments about the Prawn Sandwich Brigade at Old Trafford, but while Keane left the club a few years later, the corporate hospitality (like United) will never die. The irony wasn't lost on me, then, when I found myself looking at Keane's name up on the honours board in the Captains Lounge, one of United's many hospitality suites, yesterday.

Miraculously, by way of a lot of people being unavailable, I'd received an offer from some family friends (thank you!) to the tune of two free corporate tickets to  the United vs. West Brom match. Naturally, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Adam and myself found ourselves suited and booted on Sir Matt Busby Way, with a hangover to match United's actual performance. While the game might not quite have gone to plan, I couldn't enjoy all the free hospitality without sharing it.

The biggest difference between watching with the punters and sitting with the big wigs is the fact that, rather than shovelling down a burger on the walk to the match, you can enjoy a three-course meal while the ground fills up. Unfortunately, on this occasion there were no prawn sandwiches but there was more than enough to sort out two lads trying to sort out foggy heads. For starters, I went with the antipasti platter or, as I prefer to call it, meat plate.

Next up, more meat. I'm not normally a lamb fan but we went for it on recommendation. I'm aware that the dish doesn't look incredible but hey, taste and sight are two very different senses.

And, just before kick off, we tucked into... no, not meat, but the time-old combination of sticky toffee pudding and ice cream. 

There was also the chance to indulge in a few half-time and post-match beers, provided by United's official beer partners, of course - thanks Monsieur Woodward.

United also leave you with a couple of souvenirs, including a personal plaque with the fixture details to make sure you never forget a disappointing 2-1 defeat. And all for the price of rail fare and having no voice! Now, let's sort out what's going on on the pitch!

read more "Day With The Brigade"