Media Discussion - 2023/24

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The Manchester divide that goes well beyond a football rivalry

"Children being born and brought up in the home of Manchester's triumphant Citizens face among the worst health prospects in the country - but children born in the Devils' backyard are 50 per cent less likely to grow up impoverished", according to so called `new`academic research as reported in today`s Manchester Evening News (MEN).

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...s/manchester-divide-goes-well-beyond-27446049

The MEN does not, however, provide any analysis or balanced commentary.

Public and private agencies have been trying to tackle inequality for as long as anyone can remember. This is not news despite the co-authors thinking that it is.

The reality is that it is pretentious, attention seeking academics once again who cast out a hook to justify their research in order to try and convince others that that they need more funding for their next research project. Once again, City is their hook.

Trafford is not Manchester. It is one of the wealthiest boroughs. It is a contrived comparison by the academics and undermines the serious matters.This appears to be as much about them and their profile as the real issues.

Perhaps they could do something useful such as working for City in the Community.

Football clubs are not responsible for public health, poverty and inequality however they can contribute to a range of measures by government, local authorities and other agencies, as well as developing their own initiatives.

City in the Community and the City Football Group are leaders. The report writers and MEN failed to grasp the opportunity to recognise this work in Manchester and beyond. Why?

Are there any clues which area they mean? Square mile, borough, post code?

Should we go full on dipper & complain of poverty shaming?
 
Are there any clues which area they mean? Square mile, borough, post code?

Should we go full on dipper & complain of poverty shaming?
It’s a borough to borough comparison, in other words nothing to do with the football clubs located within those boroughs. If Beswick/Bradford was compared to Old Trafford/Stretford I suspect the areas would look remarkably similar health wise. But add in Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon, Sale and the other relatively affluent areas of Trafford and compare them to Gorton, Harpurhey, Moston and Longsight the comparison changes somewhat.
 
The Manchester divide that goes well beyond a football rivalry

"Children being born and brought up in the home of Manchester's triumphant Citizens face among the worst health prospects in the country - but children born in the Devils' backyard are 50 per cent less likely to grow up impoverished", according to so called `new`academic research as reported in today`s Manchester Evening News (MEN).

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...s/manchester-divide-goes-well-beyond-27446049

The MEN does not, however, provide any analysis or balanced commentary.

Public and private agencies have been trying to tackle inequality for as long as anyone can remember. This is not news despite the co-authors thinking that it is.

The reality is that it is pretentious, attention seeking academics once again who cast out a hook to justify their research in order to try and convince others that that they need more funding for their next research project. Once again, City is their hook.

Trafford is not Manchester. It is one of the wealthiest boroughs. It is a contrived comparison by the academics and undermines the serious matters.This appears to be as much about them and their profile as the real issues.

Perhaps they could do something useful such as working for City in the Community.

Football clubs are not responsible for public health, poverty and inequality however they can contribute to a range of measures by government, local authorities and other agencies, as well as developing their own initiatives.

City in the Community and the City Football Group are leaders. The report writers and MEN failed to grasp the opportunity to recognise this work in Manchester and beyond. Why?
Children's health and inequality is undoubtedly more important than football, and if tagging it only the Premier League is how they actually get people to pay attention to their research then I'm not going to complain (the full research has every club in the PL listed, but it's obvious that the MEN are going to pick up on the local clubs - it's no slight at all on City).

Many of the charities working in the area (including those who work with City in the Community), will rely on this kind of research when they're trying to raise funds. And the kind of comparison between the areas around Old Trafford and The Etihad, is really important, as a lot of people can't see beyond their own backyards, or will see Manchester doing well and think there's no need for additional services.

I used to work in one of the richest areas of London, where there was a 15 year difference in life expectancy on two streets just 50 yards apart. Anything that helps raise awareness of inequality, is fine in my view.
 
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