Manchester United's drive to increase revenues has led to a rare increase in the capacity at Old Trafford.
Since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the start of the year, the club have carried out a wide-ranging review not only identifying areas where savings can be made but also aimed at ensuring revenues are as high as possible.
As part of previous plans, entrances were widened at the scoreboard end of the ground to cater for an extended platform for fans who use wheelchairs.
However, those plans were changed following consultation with supporters and, as a result, dozens of new seats have now been reinstalled in one of the affected areas.
Manchester United have increased Old Trafford's capacity following an amendment to plans
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has set about maximising revenues since taking over the club late last year
City groundsman ends three-decade stint
Manchester City head groundsman Lee Jackson has departed after 33 years at the club.
The mainstay, who started as a step-sweeping YTS at Maine Road in 1991, brought out the Premier League trophy ahead of City’s first home match against Ipswich on Saturday.
His final match was his 842nd and he was given a rousing send-off. Jackson, a multiple award winner who is well regarded across the game, was one of few remaining staff from the Maine Road days and the timing of his departure, with a new season just underway, has raised eyebrows.
He is now thought to be looking for his next role.
Villa chief takes late-night social media swipe
Aston Villa chief operating officer Ben Hatton would appear to be a man of forthright opinion, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Fresh from enjoying the hospitality laid on in the plush boardroom at the London Stadium, Hatton saw fit to post a thinly veiled snipe at West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady.
At around midnight after the 5.30pm kick-off, Hatton expressed his joy at Villa’s winning start to the campaign, adding: ‘Separately, but obviously related Baroness Brady seems to have gotten herself bent all out of shape too…’
The post was later deleted but not before it had been liked by Chris Hornbuckle, Villa’s vice president of business development who Hatton brought to the club.
Hatton also appeared to have a dig at former kit suppliers Castore, posting a link to a story about issues the manufacturer has experienced with Everton, along with a smiley-face emoji prompting a former exec from another club to ask: ‘Is this an appropriate post?’ Quite.
Outspoken Aston Villa COO Ben Hatton made his feelings clear in a social media post
The jibe at Baroness Brady's expense came following Aston Villa's win over West Ham
Spurs hoping to be Premier League's top dogs
Tottenham Hotspur have launched an official supporters club for dog lovers.
At home matches this season there will be a ‘Dog of the Match’ submitted by a member of ‘Tottenham Hotspaw’ — with an image on big screens before and after matches and in the programme.
Members will also get 10 per cent off the club’s pet range. The initiative is thought to be the idea of executive director Donna-Maria Cullen, who, as Agenda revealed in 2021, had set tongues wagging in the office by bringing her dog to work.
Alongside Dog of the Match, Spurs will also highlight a rescue dog that charity partners All Dogs Matter have up for adoption in an attempt to find it an owner.
Tottenham have launched an official supporters club for their dog-loving fans
Sky Glass cricket gaffe
Those wondering where Test cricket lies in the pecking order at Sky Sports may feel they were given a clue by an advert for England’s fixture with Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.
Sky Glass customers were stunned to see the game promoted on their TV guides with a picture of Jimmy Anderson, who retired three matches ago, and West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite.
The error was subsequently rectified.
Relevent appoint new chairman
Relevent, the events firm who many believe would play a key role in bringing Premier League matches to the US, have appointed the mastermind behind Netflix’s Drive to Survive as company chairman.
Sean Bratches, who spent three decades at ESPN and four years leading Formula One’s commercial operations — which included the smash hit TV docu-series — was based in London and dropped a heavy hint when his new role was announced.
‘The sport of football is ascendant globally,’ he noted, ‘and the opportunity to partner with and contribute to the commercial development of professional football leagues, both in and out of territory, is something that I am quite passionate about’. Watch this space.
Former F1 chief Sean Bratches has joined the events firm many believe are intent on bringing Premier League matches to the US
Safety reminder needed after Selhurst slip up
The Premier League will remind their clubs of the need to ensure they are providing safe environments after a ball boy escaped serious harm during West Ham’s victory at Crystal Palace.
The youngster became trapped when advertisement boards toppled over with an alarming lack of resistance as Hammers fans surged forward following Tomas Soucek’s goal in a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Tomas Soucek rushed to free a trapped ballboy after an advertising board toppled over
Premier League are set to send safety reminders to clubs after the incident at Selhurst Park
Quick-thinking Soucek spotted the shaken ball boy and managed to lift the LED screens while Jarrod Bowen helped him to his feet.
Top-flight officials are looking into what happened and will speak to clubs in an attempt to ensure a similar incident doesn’t happen again.