So as if by magic it is time for the Paralympic World Cup to take place again in the City of Manchester. This competition started back in 2005 and has taken place every year since then. As usual I will concentrate on the Wheelchair Basketball as that is what I am involved in.

We are now in the B section of the All-Time players in the BBL. I have to say that this group include some of the truly great players who have graced our courts over the years. Players like Vince Brookins, Steve Bontrager, Alton Byrd and Micah Blunt.

Hi there, For some years now I have been contemplating the possibility of publishing a master list of past and present BBL players. I fully realize that this list will never be complete and names will be added as I am made aware of them. The fact that someone's name isn't as yet on the list does not mean that they are less important than anyone else. This always will be a work in progress.

On April 2nd 1974, a new ILR station began broadcasting to Greater Manchester from Piccadilly Plaza. One of its original team of presenters was Londoner Andy Peebles, formerly of BBC Radio Manchester, whose weekly ‘Soul Train’ programme on a Sunday would quickly establish itself as essential listening for black music fans throughout the region. Over a quarter of a century later Stu Allan would play his final record on Piccadilly offshoot, Key 103, bringing the shutters down on an entire era, which started with Peebles, was nurtured by Mike Shaft, and saw Lee Browne take a bit part along the way. This is the story of how a Manchester radio station played a key role in shaping the city’s celebrated club culture.

The BBL Championship is the flagship competition of the British Basketball League and features all member teams playing a 33-game regular season, from September to April. Matches are played according to FIBA rules and games consist of four-quarters of 10 minutes each. Two points are awarded for a win, with overtime used if the score is tied at the final buzzer – unlimited numbers of 5-minute overtime periods are played until one team is ahead when a period ends.