Latest news with #NeilAtkinson
Sky News
6 days ago
- General
- Sky News
'The community has stood strong': How Liverpool is trying to heal from trauma at trophy parade
The memorabilia that marks a milestone title - No 20 - is still being snapped up two days on from the Premier League trophy parade. Water Street, where a vehicle struck crowds gathered to celebrate their team's success, was open again today - cleared the detritus of the horror, and the bottles of beer were abandoned in an instant. But Liverpool fans are asking whether a day filled with so much joy can be reclaimed for the euphoria, after scenes of such devastation. "The incident itself, it's obviously ended up very much marring the memory of what should have been a great day," said Neil Atkinson, host of The Anfield Wrap podcast. "There are a lot of different lived realities at once. Those right by the event obviously have theirs. "But as that sort of spreads out, everyone's in a bit of a different place. "So I think in the fullness of time - if everyone involved makes a full recovery, insofar as that's possible because there are other types of scar and not just physical - then I think that people can remember it as a positive occasion." Liverpool has dealt with trauma before at Hillsborough and beyond, when institutions have endangered and failed fans. This feels harder to comprehend - the shock - why the vehicle was driven through a crowd enjoying the most uplifting of days. Shortly before, the Strand nearby had been cloaked in a haze of red smoke that had followed the buses through the 10-mile parade, You'll Never Walk Alone booming out. The song is more than an anthem; it is woven into the club's identity, embodying the bond between fans and the club. Here, it was the soundtrack of celebration. In moments of tragedy, it has been the hymn of resilience amid healing. "The Liverpool community has stood firm," Mr Atkinson said. "Everyone just wants to help and support, and I think the human instinct, first and foremost, when bad things, scary things happen, is that there are people who want to reach out, and I think that is a good, it's a special thing. And the Reds are feeling the outpouring of solidarity, with rivals rallying behind them from far and wide. "I love Liverpool and I think that Liverpool has something about it that's genuinely exceptional," Atkinson said. "But I also love that … I was getting messages from people who aren't even connected to the game, who see this, who want to check that I was all right.
Sky News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Arsenal events take place to celebrate major trophy victories
A number of bus parades and events have taken place across England today as three teams celebrated their footballing successes. Liverpool 's celebration of their Premier League victory began at 2.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday, and was expected to last between three and five hours. A number of the city's landmarks were lit up in Liverpool FC imagery along the route of the bus parade, the club said. Having now won their 20th league title in the top flight of English football, Liverpool have equalled the record of rivals Manchester United. Fans lined the streets with plumes of red smoke greeting the players along the way. Neil Atkinson, content manager of fan site The Anfield Wrap, told Sky News there was something "democratic" about a parade. "I'm lucky to be able to go to Liverpool away games, but you only get 3,000 tickets," he said. "I'm lucky to be able to go to Anfield, but there's only 60,000 seats. A parade, all it needs is for someone to have their bit of concrete and we're all equal, and we can all enjoy Liverpool. "And what we're able to do to give a gift to the players of Liverpool to say thank you for what it is they've done." Midfielder Curtis Jones told LFCTV on the bus that it was his "second [title], but this one feels even more special". "I've played more of a bigger role in this, so it's good just to enjoy it here with all the staff and the players and of course the fans as well," he added. Speaking to players after his first season in charge, manager Arne Slot said the team had "refused to lose this season". "It's been an amazing season for us. The work you've put in has been absolutely outstanding," he added. One fan who had travelled from Gibraltar for the celebrations told Sky News he was "loving it". Another Liverpool supporter added that the atmosphere was "different" in the city on Monday. "I went to the gym this morning and there was people camping out already. It's surreal really," he said. 1:49 Fans 'so proud' of Arsenal women Arsenal 's women kicked off the celebrations on Monday morning after their UEFA Women's Champions League victory in Lisbon on Saturday. The trophy was lifted at Armoury Square, outside the Emirates Stadium, after the team's 1-0 victory over Barcelona. Former Arsenal footballer-turned-presenter Alex Scott and Emirates Stadium host Nigel Mitchell presented the celebration. It is the first time Arsenal have won the women's Champions League in 18 years, since their maiden title in the 2006-07 season. Sky's Rob Harris spoke to some of the supporters who had turned out to watch their team lift the trophy. "I can't believe they've just won. We've waited so long for this, I'm so proud of them," one said. "Women's football has come such a long way. And just to see the amount of support that it's started to get, it's like, this is the direction it needs to go in," another added. Palace saviour first major trophy Crystal Palace 's open-top bus parade started at 12.45pm to celebrate the team's FA Cup win, having beaten Manchester City 1-0 to secure the trophy. 1:27 The parade lasted around 45 minutes, before the trophy lift took place at Selhurst Park at 2.30pm. The club promised its supporters live entertainment, special guests and end-of-season awards. Attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze told Sky's Sarah-Jane Mee he was "enjoying" the attention after scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. "To be able to actually achieve that, to score and to help my team win, and to be a part of a squad that has done it, keep the questions coming man, because I'm enjoying it," he said. The Eagles' FA Cup win saw the club awarded its first major trophy. "This is amazing, absolutely amazing. The crowd is buzzing, everyone is cheerful, it's a really good atmosphere," Palace fan Julie Setchfield told Sky News.
Irish Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Travel expert shares his 'most important hack' for never getting lost on holiday
Ever found yourself hopelessly lost while on holiday? It's a real dampener, particularly if you're on a tight schedule. Getting lost might lead to serendipitous discoveries, but not when you're against the clock or want to make the most your time abroad. This is where travel expert Neil Atkinson, the brains behind Luxury Group Stay, steps in with his useful hack to ensure you never lose your way - and it involves a bit of a throwback approach. Neil divulged: "Downloading an offline map of the area you're travelling to is one of the most important travel hacks I always recommend. It's completely free and can save you hours of stress, whether you're exploring the Lake District or wandering through Barcelona." With an offline map downloaded, data issues won't derail your adventure. Just remember to grab it while you've got web access. Neil advised: "I always tell people to do it before leaving home, or at least while still on hotel Wi-Fi.", reports the Mirror. Admittedly, there are some downsides, albeit trivial ones. Neil mentioned: "You'll only get driving directions when offline, not public transport routes, and you won't see real-time traffic updates." The good news is that offline maps don't your memory storage, leaving you plenty of space for even the vastest metropolises. Neil's parting wisdom focuses on preparation: "Make sure to download a wider area than you think you'll need. Better to have too much map than too little when you're in the middle of nowhere!". If you need a map when you're off the grid, just take these straightforward steps:
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Travel expert's 'most important' tip for never getting lost on holiday
Getting lost on holiday can be a nightmare, but one travel expert has shared his top tip so that is doesn't happen to you Ever found yourself hopelessly lost while on holiday? It can be a real dampener, especially if you've got plans. While stumbling upon hidden gems in a new city can be exciting, it's not ideal when you're racing against time to meet reservations. This is why travel expert Neil Atkinson, the brains behind Luxury Group Stay, has revealed his number one trick for never losing your way - and it involves a bit of a throwback approach. Neil said: "Downloading an offline map of the area you're travelling to is one of the most important travel hacks I always recommend. It's completely free and can save you hours of stress, whether you're exploring the Lake District or wandering through Barcelona." Having an offline map means even without data, you're sorted. Just don't forget to download the map while connected to the internet. Neil said: "I always tell people to do it before leaving home, or at least while still on hotel Wi-Fi." There are some drawbacks, although they're small fry. Neil said: "You'll only get driving directions when offline, not public transport routes, and you won't see real-time traffic updates." The great news is offline maps are light on storage, so even for sprawling cities, you won't need to fret over space, reports the Express. Neil's parting wisdom focuses on preparation: "Make sure to download a wider area than you think you'll need. Better to have too much map than too little when you're in the middle of nowhere!". To grab a map for offline use, just follow these steps: Fire up your Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android Hit your profile snap in the top right nook. Choose "Offline maps" then "Select your own map". Tweak the blue square to blanket your intended spot. Tap "Download" and you're done.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool look 'certain' and are 'functioning perfectly'
Liverpool supporter Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap thinks Arne Slot's side will have a tougher day in the office against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, after "domination from start to finish" in their semi-final win over Tottenham. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Atkinson said: "Liverpool were excellent which, off the back of the first leg, was hugely vindicating. "They look certain every single time they take to the pitch so I wasn't worried going into the game. Liverpool play better football than Tottenham and that's the way it played out through the game. "Liverpool were genuinely excellent. They are top of the league, but they are getting better every single time they take to the pitch. "Newcastle have the ability of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, so you feel as though they will carry a threat going forward. "Someone will get the better of Liverpool at some point soon, but I just struggle to see who will do it at the moment. The players are playing so well in so many areas - but the whole unit is also functioning perfectly. "Newcastle are a good side. I've got no doubt Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes will play well, but I think Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai will all play well. "There is a lot of football for both teams to get through between now and the final, especially Liverpool. It's about six weeks away so the teams might be in a different shape or different nick."
