Former ManU player Gary Neville's plans to transform Manchester have "again been met with opposition" after hundreds of residents objected to proposals by ManU's "class of '92" to build a new sports university near Old Trafford Stadium. The opening of the institution, which is backed by Lancaster University and Trafford Council, was planned for Sept. '19, but hundreds of residents "objected to the takeover of green belt land and the disruption to local wildlife." Neville's latest idea "includes designs for three new turf football pitches, a cafe and a changing room on public land in Turn Moss" (London GUARDIAN, 2/14).
League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City Chair Phil O'Doherty backed plans to rename the Brandywell Stadium after late club captain Ryan McBride. The 27-year-old player died suddenly in March '17. The Ryan McBride Foundation was established after his death and "proposed renaming the Londonderry stadium in his memory." O'Doherty said that he is "definitely supporting" the campaign group's proposal (BBC, 2/13).
