Richard Kelly Photography

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

KAPPA GALORE 1997 🔵⚪️

The new Kappa era gets underway at Maine Road in 1997, with Martyn Margetson, Gerard Wiekens and Ged Brannan modelling some of City’s new gear.

A few eyebrows were raised at the time as City moved away from traditional kit manufacturers Umbro and opted for Kappa, along with a noticeably darker shade of blue.

But Kappa went all out. The club shops were absolutely decked out — shirts, tracksuits, jackets, hats, scarves, school bags, pencil cases, lunch boxes… you name it, there seemed to be a Kappa version of it!

They even introduced long-sleeved replica shirts for supporters, with the idea of making fans feel more connected to the team and allowing them to look just like the players.

Nearly 30 years later, that Kappa gear has become hugely nostalgic, much sought-after and highly collectible.

The kits might divide opinion, but you can't deny it — City's Kappa era had a look all of its own.

And looking back at some of those seasons… maybe we didn't always want to look like the players! 😂

12/08/2026

This Saturday, we invite you to join a free Peterloo walking tour beginning at The Portico...

The event is inspired by research carried out by Manchester's Global Threads team, supporting the Portico Reunited project, which helps reposition Peterloo in its global context as a Transatlantic Moment.

Tracing the stories of three key individuals connected to the Portico — Hugh Hornby Birley, Sir George Phillips, and Robert Wedderburn — and their deep connections to Manchester’s cotton economy, Peterloo and its aftermath, the tour begins with a viewing of historic books linked to Peterloo, before heading out onto the streets surrounding the library and St Peter’s Square.

🗓️ Saturday 15th August | 3pm - 4pm

🔗 You can read the original Global Threads case studies here: https://globalthreadsmcr.org/portico/

🔗 And find more information about the tour here: https://www.theportico.org.uk/event-calendar/the-portico-and-peterloo-a-transatlantic-moment

11/08/2026

"Bacon was anxious that 'Jet of Water', 1979 (79‑03), should be included in his Moscow exhibition, which opened in September 1988, but the owner refused to lend it. As he had done on previous occasions, he determined to paint a new version of it. Valerie Beston’s diary records the new painting in progress from 17 April until its delivery to Marlborough Fine Art on 5 May 1988, when she pronounced it ‘very fine – better than first version."

Martin Harrison, Francis Bacon: Catalogue Raisonné (London: The Estate of Francis Bacon Publishing, 2016) p.1354

Painting: 'Jet of Water', 1988

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

On this day, 1972 | Mick Jagger at The Oval

11/08/2026

Classic Bez, wearing a classic Sergio Tacchini sweatshirt. We'll have some cracking Sergio Tacchini sweatshirts and knits landing on the site soon. Stay tuned!